Retired South Africa international Shaun Bartlett has highlighted Wilfred Ndidi’s importance to the Super Eagles, insisting the holding midfielder deserves greater recognition after his impressive performances at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Nigeria were without Ndidi in Wednesday’s semifinal shootout defeat to Morocco in Rabat, with the Besiktas man suspended after accumulating yellow cards.

In his absence, the Super Eagles struggled to assert control in midfield.

Prior to the clash with the Atlas Lions, Nigeria had been in imperious form, winning all their matches and scoring 14 goals en route to the semifinals.

However, for the first time in the tournament, the Super Eagles were second best in possession against Morocco, a reflection of the void left by the absence of a natural ball-winning midfielder.

As a result, Nigeria's attack, led by Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams and Alex Iwobi, was effectively neutralised.

Bartlett believes Ndidi's role at the base of midfield is overlooked, with much of the spotlight instead falling on the likes of Osimhen and Lookman.

"When we watch Nigeria and Ndidi play, nobody speaks about it. We speak about Lookman, Osimhen. It’s the most underrated position," Bartlett said on SuperSport's Afcon podcast.

Drawing comparisons with some of the game's most respected enforcers, Bartlett added: "Even when you look around the world, the Busquets of Spain, Makélélé with Chelsea, or N'Golo Kanté, Roy Keane of Manchester United — they were doing the dirty work. But who gets the accolade and the recognition? The attacking players.

"Yesterday you could see they needed that person with a calm head and stability. We all admired Iwobi with the passes, but Ndidi was doing his job."

Ndidi netted his first international goal during the Super Eagles' statement win over Tunisia in the group stage of the 2025 Afcon.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel