Super Eagles star Wilfred Ndidi joined Turkish giants Besiktas from Leicester City during the 2025 summer transfer window…
Beşiktaş midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has admitted the team lost control after going 2-0 up and eventually fell 3-2 to Fenerbahçe in Sunday’s Istanbul derby, Soccernet.ng reports.
Beşiktaş started strong and took a two-goal lead, but a first-half red card changed the tone of the match, which allowed Fenerbahçe to find their way back and complete the comeback in the closing stages.
Besiktas lost 2-goal grip to Fenerbahce
Beşiktaş raced into a 2-0 advantage and looked comfortable in the opening phase. However, a red card shown to Orkun Kokcu in the 26th minute of the game swung control in favour of Fenerbahçe, who took advantage of the extra man to build pressure.
Just less than seven minutes from Kokcu's exit, the visitors pulled one back thanks to a goal from Ismail Yuksek, and a few minutes to the end of the first half, Marco Asensio restored parity.
In the second half, former Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran scored a late winner to complete the comeback and secured all three points for the Yellow Canaries.
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Red card turned the tide for Beşiktaş
The Black-and-Whites were dominant early on before being reduced to ten men. The sending-off of Kokcu disrupted their structure and handed Fenerbahçe control.
The home side were forced deeper and allowed the visitors to dictate the tempo, which led to the equaliser and then a decisive late strike that completed the comeback.
Ndidi calls on focus after derby defeat
Speaking after the game, Ndidi revealed reasons why Besiktas lost their grip in the first half, calling for focus despite the disappointment:
“The game was going well for us. We knew we had to give our best. We even went 2–0 ahead. After the red card and then conceding a goal, we gave them the momentum they needed. We wanted to stay in the game. We know we have quality. But we have to stay united. As players and fans, we need to be one. We can create a situation this season where we achieve good things.” he said via the club's official website.
Besiktas, who sit sixth with 17 points in the Super Lig table, will travel to New Antalya Stadium next Saturday to secure all points against Antalyaspor and bounce back from their defeats to Fenerbahce.
