Called up to the Super Eagles for the first time, Marseille midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi could start on Friday in Uyo against Tanzania, in a match that could revive Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for AFCON 2027.
Nigeria host Tanzania on Friday in Uyo in the AFCON 2027 qualifiers, before the return match on Tuesday in Zanzibar. In this camp, one name catches the eye from a French perspective: that of Tochukwu Nnadi, the Olympique de Marseille midfielder, called up to the Super Eagles for the first time after a knee injury that slowed his start to the season.
According to OwnGoal Nigeria, cited on 11 November by Football Club de Marseille, head coach Éric Chelle is considering starting him alongside Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi in a midfield three. This is unofficial: the Nigerian coach’s line-up is not known at this stage.
A midfield three under consideration
Captain Wilfred Ndidi and Fulham’s Alex Iwobi would be Nnadi’s partners in that trio, with the Marseille man adding a third presence in midfield.
The Marseille context is one of a gradual return: Nnadi has played seven matches since returning from injury in October, five of them as a starter, for 466 minutes of playing time.
That said, this starting spot remains a projection. Chelle has several options in midfield, notably Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Samson Tijani, and the defence also has options: Benjamin Fredricks, Chibuike Nwaiwu and Abdullahi Ibrahim Bewene.
Two matches to revive hope
Nigeria come into this after a mixed run: a win over Madagascar in Uyo on 25 September, then a 0-3 defeat to Guinea-Bissau four days later. In the race for the AFCON co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, six points against Tanzania would revive their qualification hopes.
“We must work hard in these two matches and do everything to win. It is important to sustain the hope and all the players are in that mood to banish the memory of that defeat to Guinea Bissau and show their true quality.” These comments were reported by The Guardian Nigeria. In his second message, Chelle added: “The spirit in camp is high and everyone is focused on achieving victory in both matches.”
Nigeria will again be without Victor Osimhen, injured in a Süper Lig match with Galatasaray. Up front, Tolu Arokodare, scorer of 13 goals this season across the Dutch league and the Conference League, and Ademola Lookman are attacking options for the staff.
Uyo, then Zanzibar
The first meeting is set for Friday in Uyo, before the trip to Zanzibar on Tuesday for the return match. If the trend outlined by OwnGoal Nigeria is confirmed, Nnadi could start for the first time with the Super Eagles.
His presence in the squad is already a step forward, after a start to the season slowed by a knee injury. The line-up chosen by the staff for Friday is not known at this stage.