Super Eagles: 3 midfielders Eric Chelle could turn to after Tochukwu Nnadi injury

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has been forced to rethink his midfield plans after Tochukwu Nnadi was ruled out of Nigeria’s September Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Afrik-Foot reports.

Nnadi suffered a knee injury after coming on against Monaco for Marseille on August 30. He lasted only 28 minutes before being replaced. Reports later said the midfielder decided against immediate surgery in the hope of making a quicker recovery.

His absence creates an opening in a midfield where Chelle has several options, including Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, Frank Onyeka and Alhassan Yusuf. Nigeria will face Madagascar on September 25 before travelling to Guinea-Bissau for the second Group L game on September 29.

The situation could also help players who impressed during Nigeria’s summer programme. Nnadi was part of the midfield trio with Yusuf and Samson Tijani during the Unity Cup, while Chelle also tested several younger options. With the Marseille midfielder unavailable, these are three players who could gain the most.

Super Eagles midfield options for Chelle

Alhassan Yusuf

Yusuf is the clearest winner from Nnadi’s withdrawal. The New England Revolution midfielder is likely to be brought into the squad as Nnadi’s replacement.

The 26-year-old has given Chelle plenty of reasons to trust him. Yusuf has played all 23 of New England’s MLS matches in 2026, starting 20, with five goals and two assists in 1,827 minutes. That impressive tally includes a stunning hat-trick in the 3-0 win over DC United on August 19.

His Nigeria form is also strong. Yusuf scored twice against Jamaica in the Unity Cup final as Nigeria won 3-0 at The Valley in London. He had also started the tournament alongside Nnadi and Tijani. That makes Yusuf more than a replacement. He could now move into the starting midfield picture.

Samson Tijani

Tijani could also benefit because he already has experience playing the same midfield role alongside Nnadi.

The 24-year-old started Nigeria’s Unity Cup matches against Zimbabwe and Jamaica after going five years without a senior call-up. He formed a three-man midfield with Yusuf and Nnadi, giving Chelle a young, energetic option in the centre.

Tijani has also moved to Slovakian club Podbrezová on loan from Dukla Prague. Before the move, he had made 26 appearances in the Czech top flight during the 2025/26 season.

Nnadi’s absence could therefore give Tijani another opportunity to prove he can handle competitive international football.

Ebenezer Akinsanmiro

Akinsanmiro is the less obvious option, but his recent club form makes him difficult to ignore. The 21-year-old midfielder joined Monza on loan from Inter Milan and has started the new Serie A campaign strongly. He played 89 minutes in Monza’s 1-0 win at Torino on September 1 and provided an assist in the 2-3 defeat by Udinese on August 29.

Akinsanmiro was already part of Chelle’s wider midfield pool during the 2026 Unity Cup. His ability to play centrally and contribute in possession gives Chelle another profile if he wants more creativity rather than simply replacing Nnadi’s defensive work.

With Nnadi unavailable, Yusuf looks the strongest candidate to benefit immediately. Tijani offers familiarity with Chelle’s system, while Akinsanmiro’s Serie A form could make him an attractive alternative as Nigeria prepare for two important Group L matches.