Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has dismissed suggestions that he and compatriot Kelechi Iheanacho relied on "juju cream" to recover from injuries during their time at Leicester City, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
The clarification follows comments made by former Leicester City captain Jamie Vardy on the latest episode of his podcast, Jamie Vardy's Having a Party, in which the veteran striker claimed the Nigerian duo often returned from injury breaks in Nigeria with what he described as "juju cream."
"They used to get injured. Little knocks, then go back to Nigeria for just one day. They come back with a nice big tub of juju cream," Vardy said.
"That was the only thing that the masseuse was allowed to apply to the injured area. They used to tell us that it had come from a Nigerian witch doctor."
The remarks sparked widespread reactions on social media, with former Super Eagles forward Victor Anichebe tagging both Ndidi and Iheanacho on Instagram and asking the Leicester midfielder to explain the substance Vardy had referenced.
Responding to Anichebe, Ndidi revealed that the ointment was simply locally sourced shea butter and not any form of mystical or magical remedy.
"Shea butter," Ndidi replied, putting to rest the speculation surrounding Vardy's comments.
Shea butter is a natural fat extracted from the nuts of the African shea tree and is widely used across Nigeria for skincare and therapeutic purposes.
Known by different local names, including ka?e or ka?anya in Hausa, òkwùmá in Igbo and òrí in Yoruba, the product is commonly used in cosmetics, skin moisturisers, hair care products, massage oils and soaps due to its nourishing and healing properties.