Tochukwu Nnadi repays Habib Beye’s faith with assist on full Marseille debut
Super Eagles midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi marked his full debut for Olympique de Marseille in style, delivering an assist in a 1-1 draw against OGC Nice at the Orange Vélodrome.
The 22-year-old showed composure and maturity in midfield, rewarding the trust placed in him by head coach Habib Beye.
Tochukwu Nnadi full Marseille debut sparks midfield control
Having joined from Zulte Waregem in February 2026, Tochukwu Nnadi was handed his first start in a demanding Ligue 1 fixture.
The decision injected some confidence into the Nigerian midfielder, who had previously featured in brief substitute appearances.
From the opening minutes, Nnadi looked settled. He brought calmness on the ball and helped Marseille control possession for long spells.
His positioning and awareness allowed the hosts to dictate the tempo, even as Nice stayed compact and disciplined defensively.
Despite Marseille’s dominance, clear chances were limited in a tightly contested encounter.
Nnadi assist proves decisive before late Nice equaliser
The breakthrough finally came in the 66th minute, and it had Tochukwu Nnadi at the heart of it. Spotting space in the final third, he delivered a perfectly weighted lofted pass into the box.
His delivery found Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, who rose above the defence to head home and give Marseille the lead. It was a moment that underlined Nnadi’s vision and technical quality under pressure.
However, Marseille could not see out the victory. In the 88th minute, Nice were awarded a penalty, and Elye Wahi converted to secure a 1-1 draw.
Even with the late setback, Tochukwu Nnadi’s performance stood out. He remained composed throughout, completed sharp passes under pressure, and contributed defensively when required.
The Super Eagles midfielder continues to adjust to the physical and tactical demands of French football.
