Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has gifted his former grassroots coach, Nduka Ugbade, a brand-new car in a heartwarming gesture of gratitude for his early mentorship and support.

The emotional moment was captured on video, showing the 28-year-old Leicester City player embracing a visibly moved Ugbade before handing him the keys to a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV).

Ndidi, who recently endured relegation to the English Championship with Leicester City at the end of the 2024/2025 season, described the gift as a token of appreciation for the pivotal role Ugbade played in shaping his football career.

Ugbade, 55, is a revered figure in Nigerian football history. He was part of the national squad that clinched the inaugural FIFA U-17 World Cup (then known as the Kodak U-16 World Tournament) in 1985, defeating West Germany 2-0 in the final. He represented Nigeria at every youth level and made five appearances for the senior national team, the Super Eagles.

After retiring from active football in 2003, Ugbade transitioned into coaching and led various domestic teams. Most recently, he managed Nigeria’s U-17 Golden Eaglets during the 2023 AFCON tournament in Algeria, guiding them to the quarter-finals.

Ndidi, on his part, has evolved into a key player for both club and country. Since joining Leicester City from Belgian side Genk in 2017, he has made over 300 appearances for the Foxes, scoring 18 goals and registering 22 assists. In the just-concluded season, he featured in 30 matches, with one League Cup goal and five Premier League assists.