Zulte Waregem midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi is no longer flying under the radar after earning a surprise place in Eric Chelle’s Super Eagles squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Footynaija.com reports.
The 22-year-old is one of the fresh faces included in Nigeria’s AFCON plans, with Chelle keen to inject new energy and tactical flexibility into his midfield options.
While Nnadi is not particularly a direct replacement for any established star, his inclusion adds a fresh dynamic to the middle of the park, giving Chelle an extra profile to work with as the Super Eagles prepare for a long and demanding AFCON campaign.
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So who is Tochukwu Nnadi, and why is he suddenly attracting interest from both the Super Eagles and a Premier League club?
From Imo State to Europe’s spotlight
Born in Ihiagwa, Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, Nnadi’s football journey began far from Europe’s bright lights. He cut his teeth at Campos FC in Owerri before taking a bold step in 2019 by moving to Dubai, where he trained with Madenat Alamal Football Academy.
That decision proved pivotal as his development abroad earned him a move to Bulgarian side Botev Plovdiv in August 2021, where he signed a contract running until 2025. Nnadi made his senior league debut in April 2022 against Ludogorets and quickly showed maturity beyond his years.
In his first full season in Europe, the defensive midfielder made 19 league appearances and featured 29 times across all competitions, establishing himself as a reliable presence in the heart of midfield.
His upward trajectory continued in January 2024 when he joined Zulte Waregem. Nnadi played an important role in their push for promotion, helping the club return to the Belgian top flight and placing himself on a bigger platform to increase external interest in his progress.
Why West Ham are watching
Now competing in the Belgian Pro League, Nnadi has started all 15 of his league appearances this season, delivering consistent, disciplined performances in midfield.
His ability to screen the defence, read danger early and maintain positional balance has reportedly put him on the radar of West Ham, who are understood to be monitoring young midfield options across Europe.
Primarily a defensive midfielder, Nnadi offers the kind of physical presence and tactical awareness that suits the demands of the Premier League. His rise has been built on reliability rather than flashiness, a trait that often appeals to clubs looking for long-term midfield solutions.
What Tochukwu Nnadi offers the Super Eagles
For Nigeria, Nnadi provides Eric Chelle with an extra midfield option capable of offering structure and control, especially in games that require defensive discipline. His selection also reflects Chelle’s willingness to reward form and consistency over reputation.
Nnadi is already familiar with international football, having represented Nigeria at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup. He featured in all five matches as the Flying Eagles recorded impressive wins over Italy and Argentina.
Now handed his first senior call-up just before a major tournament, Nnadi heads to AFCON 2025 with momentum, confidence and growing interest from the Premier League. Morocco could yet prove to be the stage where the Super Eagles midfielder announces himself to a much wider audience.
