Nigerian international Tochukwu Nnadi marked his return to competitive action on Sunday as Olympique de Marseille traveled to face Troyes at the Stade de l’Aube.
A knee problem picked up just before the recent international break had sparked concerns of an extended layoff, forcing the 23-year-old midfielder to miss out on representing Nigeria. Despite earlier speculation that he could be thrust straight into the starting eleven to cover for the sidelined Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, manager Bruno Génésio chose a cautious route, leaving the youngster on the bench.
Nnadi was eventually introduced in the 73rd minute to replace Nouhoum Kamissoko. His cameo provided an immediate lift; he maintained a flawless 100 percent passing accuracy by completing all 12 of his distributions and brought fresh energy to the middle of the park. Marseille went on to cement a 2–0 victory, aided by Himad Abdelli’s late penalty, while Nnadi earned a 6.8 rating on Sofascore—the best among all OM substitutes on the evening.
With a midweek UEFA Europa League encounter against Olympiacos looming this Thursday, the midfielder will be eager to secure further playing time and perhaps challenge for a starting spot.
Reclaiming His Place with Nigeria
Super Eagles boss Eric Chelle holds Nnadi in high regard. The midfielder earned his breakthrough at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year and retained his spot for the team’s training camps in May and June. While his recent physical setback ruled him out of last month’s AFCON 2027 qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, the upcoming international window offers a swift path to redemption.
With Nigeria scheduled to face Tanzania in back-to-back fixtures next month, a recall is well within reach. However, securing his spot will depend on regular minutes and steady form in France. If Nnadi can establish consistent involvement in Marseille’s engine room, a prominent role in the national team remains his for the taking.