Tochukwu Nnadi has described his maiden invitation to the Super Eagles of Nigeria as an emotional and unforgettable milestone, calling it the realisation of a lifelong dream. The Zulte Waregem midfielder earned his first senior national team call-up ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will be hosted in Morocco.
The Imo State-born footballer was included in Nigeria’s final squad for the continental tournament, a moment he admitted caught him by surprise. According to Nnadi, the reality of the achievement only truly sank in when a friend reached out to congratulate him on social media, triggering an outburst of excitement.
Speaking to NFF TV, Nnadi recounted how he had been anxiously awaiting the final squad list after an earlier provisional list was released. At the time, he said, even his father was uncertain about whether he would make the trip to Morocco.
“I was on a call with my dad after the first list came out, which was just a preliminary squad,” he explained. “He asked me if I was going to Morocco, and I told him I didn’t know yet because I had to wait for the final list.”
The defining moment came unexpectedly. “A friend sent me a message on Instagram congratulating me. I screamed, ‘I’m going to the AFCON!’ I was so happy, and my family was happy too. This is truly a dream come true. As a young boy, I always imagined myself playing for the national team one day,” he said.
Nnadi previously represented Nigeria at the under-20 level, and while he always believed a senior call-up would come eventually, he admitted it arrived sooner than he had anticipated. Nevertheless, he described the moment as one filled with gratitude and pride.
“I played for the under-20s, and now I’m with the Super Eagles,” he said. “I wasn’t expecting it to happen this quickly, but now that I’m here, I’m very grateful and happy.”
Reflecting on his football journey, the 23-year-old credited Campos Football Academy—now competing in the Nigeria National League (NNL)—as a critical foundation in his development. He explained that the academy shaped not only his technical ability but also his character and discipline.
“Campos Football Academy helped me a lot,” Nnadi noted. “It’s a place where you work hard every day, both on and off the pitch. They taught me discipline and how to combine football with education, which was very important for my growth.”
Fully aware of the expectations that come with wearing Nigeria’s green and white jersey, Nnadi acknowledged the pressure but embraced the responsibility. He said representing a football-loving nation like Nigeria motivates him to give his best.
“Playing for Nigeria carries a lot of weight,” he admitted. “But I’m here to show my quality, fight for the team, and hopefully help us win the AFCON.”
Nnadi’s professional career in Europe began with Bulgarian side Botev Plovdiv, where he made 42 league appearances across two seasons. In January 2024, he joined Belgian club Zulte Waregem, where he has continued to develop into a dependable box-to-box midfielder. Since his arrival, he has featured in 34 league matches, scoring once and establishing himself as a key figure in midfield.
As he prepares for his first major international tournament with the Super Eagles, Nnadi’s story reflects perseverance, patience and the fulfillment of a childhood ambition on Africa’s biggest football stage.
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