Tochukwu Nnadi earns Nigeria recall after impressive Marseille return

Tochukwu Nnadi has been recalled to the Super Eagles squad after starting five of Olympique Marseille’s past seven matches since recovering from a knee injury.

The 22-year-old midfielder was omitted from Nigeria’s September squad as he continued his recovery. Nigeria beat Madagascar 2-1 before losing 3-0 to Guinea-Bissau during that international window.

Eric Chelle named his 24-man squad for the November fixtures on 7 November, bringing Nnadi back into contention for the double-header against Tanzania. Soccernet’s full squad breakdown contains the remainder of the selection.

Nigeria will host Tanzania at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday 13 November, before the return fixture on 17 November.

Nnadi’s Marseille impact

Marseille signed Nnadi from Zulte Waregem for €6m, although he began the season largely as a substitute. Since returning from his knee injury in October, he has made seven appearances in Ligue 1 and the Europa League, including five starts, and has played 466 minutes.

He has provided one assist, setting up Amine Harit in Marseille’s 5-2 victory against Angers on 18 October. Nnadi has also completed 264 of his 286 passes, giving him a 92.2% passing success rate.

His most efficient passing display came against Lens last Sunday, when he completed 53 of 54 attempts and won six fouls. He played the entire match in the 4-3 win over Le Havre and featured for 87 minutes in the 2-0 victory at Toulouse on 1 November.

Chelle’s midfield options for the Tanzania matches also include Samson Tijani, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Mubarak Suleiman.

Nnadi’s recent case is built on regular playing time at a Ligue 1 club, alongside a style centred on recovering possession and retaining the ball with straightforward passing. That combination could make him a contender if Chelle wants a ball-winner in the first match in Uyo.

Soccernet’s report on Tanzania’s early arrival in Uyo underlines the importance of the opening fixture in Group L. With midfield selection among the remaining decisions for Chelle, Nnadi’s recent run of starts gives him a strong chance of being involved.

Whether he begins the match or is introduced from the bench, the game in Uyo will provide Nnadi with his first opportunity to convert his Marseille form into a regular role with Nigeria.