Nnadi Dominates Midfield as Marseille Edge Lens 2-1: Super Eagles Call-Up Boost

Olympique de Marseille secured a hard-fought 2-1 away victory over RC Lens in Ligue 1 on November 8, 2026, at Stade Bollaert-Delelis, climbing to fourth place with a fifth straight league win.

Amine Gouiri opened the scoring in the second minute, Florian Thauvin equalized for the hosts in the 20th, and substitute Keyliane Abdallah netted the late winner in the 82nd minute.?

While the goals grabbed headlines, Nigerian midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi delivered a standout performance that underscored his growing importance at Marseille and timed perfectly with his recent Super Eagles call-up for the AFCON 2027 Qualifiers.

Nnadi, starting in midfield alongside Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, was relentless. He won 10 of 13 duels, drew multiple fouls (including six according to match reports), and disrupted Lens’ attempts to build from the back with aggressive pressing and recoveries.

His energy and physicality helped Marseille maintain control in a tense second half, even as Lens pushed for a second equalizer after their midweek Champions League thrashing.

French outlet Le Phocéen awarded him a 7.5 rating, praising his “most convincing performance since arriving at Marseille,” calling him omnipresent in duels, quick to project forward, and an “indispensable” element who injected much-needed bite into the midfield.?

He played nearly the full match before being substituted by Geoffrey Kondogbia in stoppage time, leaving the pitch having helped stabilize a Marseille side that controlled 59% possession and created the decisive late chance.?

This display comes days after Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle included Nnadi in the 24-man squad for the AFCON Qualifiers double-header against Tanzania. Nigeria host the Taifa Stars in Uyo on November 13 before traveling for the return leg on November 17.

The call-up marks a significant step for the 23-year-old, who joined Marseille from Zulte Waregem in February 2026 for around €6 million.

After early injury setbacks limited his minutes, Nnadi has forced his way into the starting XI under the current setup, contributing consistently in recent wins including an assist against Angers.?

His form at club level—combining defensive steel, duel-winning ability, and progressive energy—directly supports his international prospects. Chelle’s midfield overhaul, which also featured returns for other players while dropping some established names, highlights the trust placed in Nnadi’s emerging profile.

The Lens match served as ideal preparation, showcasing the very attributes needed for the high-intensity AFCON Qualifiers.

Marseille’s victory deepens Lens’ crisis after their heavy European defeat, while the visitors head into the international break with momentum. For Nnadi, the performance is more than a club highlight—it’s timely validation ahead of representing Nigeria.

Fans of Ligue 1 and Super Eagles supporters will watch closely as the midfielder aims to translate this club form onto the international stage.

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