Super Eagles midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi delivered an impressive performance for Olympique Marseille in their 1-1 draw against OGC Nice on Sunday, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 1993 European champions suffered a setback in their push for UEFA Champions League qualification after conceding a late equaliser from Elye Wahi, which cancelled out Pierre-Emile Højbjerg’s opener. The result leaves Marseille in sixth place on the table with three games remaining.
Olympique Marseille vs Nice: How the game went
Marseille went into the encounter looking to bounce back from a 2-0 defeat to FC Lorient, which had dented their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
Super Eagles midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi, who joined from Zulte Waregem during the winter transfer window, was handed his first start for the club, nearly three months after his arrival.
Marseille began brightly, asserting their dominance early and forcing Nice goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf into several saves in the first half, denying efforts from Arthur Vermeeren and Leonardo Balerdi.
Nnadi also came close but was denied by a last-ditch tackle from Juma Bah. However, the 22-year-old played a key role in Marseille’s breakthrough just after the hour mark. He collected a pass and delivered a superb cross into the box, which was met by a powerful header from Højbjerg to give the hosts the lead.
Nice found a way back into the game after being awarded a late penalty, with Wahi stepping up to score against his former club and secure a 1-1 draw.
Marseille now sit four points adrift of the top four with only three matches left, meaning they must win their remaining games to keep their Champions League hopes alive.
Super Eagles player ratings: Nnadi rated high for Marseille
Nigerian midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi had seen limited action since his €6 million move to Marseille earlier this year, managing just 34 minutes across four appearances prior to this match.
However, he was handed his first start under head coach Habib Beye and he seized the opportunity with a standout display, contributing in both attack and defence.
During his 80 minutes on the pitch, Nnadi was one of Marseille’s most influential players and helped to dictate play before he came off for Nouhoum Kamissoko.
The 22-year-old created two chances and provided the assist for Marseille’s only goal in the 66th minute. He also recorded an 85% pass accuracy, made four recoveries, won six duels and registered 69 touches. His overall performance earned him a rating of 7.1 according to Sofascore, making him one of Marseille’s top performers on the day.
What does this performance mean for Nnadi’s future at Marseille?
Tochukwu Nnadi has struggled for regular playing time since joining Marseille, but his performance against Nice will have given coach Habib Beye plenty to consider.
He looked composed on the ball, carried a consistent attacking threat and showcased his quality with a superb assist, while also contributing defensively by winning duels. This display is likely to boost his chances of earning more minutes in the coming matches.
The 22-year-old will now be hoping to build on this momentum as Marseille continue their push for a Champions League spot, with crucial fixtures against Nantes, Le Havre and Stade Rennais still to come before the end of the campaign.