Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle was among the 61,783 spectators at the Orange Vélodrome on Tuesday as Olympique de Marseille secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Rennes to reach the quarterfinals of the 2025-26 Coupe de France.

Marseille's deadline-day signing Tochukwu Nnadi was unavailable for the match, having not been registered in time. 

The Nigeria international ended a two-year stint with Belgian side Zulte Waregem after signing a four-and-a-half-year contract with the 1993 European champions.

Although Nnadi did not feature, Chelle used the occasion to assess a dual-national player on his radar, Arsenal loanee Ethan Nwaneri. 

In his third appearance for Marseille, Nwaneri played 45 minutes before being substituted for Bilal Nadir, having received a booking midway through the first half.

Nwaneri's camp has indicated that the Hale End Academy graduate remains open to representing the Super Eagles. 

However, the attacking midfielder is leaning towards committing his international future at senior level to England, his country of birth.

Eric Chelle shared his excitement on Instagram, posting a photo with Nnadi and writing: "Evening at the Velodrome for OM v Rennes. Glad to have welcomed Nnadi, new face to Marseille".

Chelle, who holds French citizenship through his father, enjoyed a distinguished playing career in France, representing Martigues, Valenciennes, Lens, Istres and Chamois Niortais.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel