Zulte Waregem midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi has revealed that he models his playing style after top defensive midfielders Moisés Caicedo, N’Golo Kante, Sofyan Amrabat and Wilfred Ndidi as he looks forward to Nigeria’s final Group C game against Uganda.

Speaking to journalists, the 22-year-old expressed excitement at being part of the Super Eagles squad for the ongoing biennial tournament, despite yet to make an appearance.

The former Flying Eagles midfielder said his game is built around aggression, composure and intelligence both on and off the ball, qualities he admires in the players he follows closely. 

“It's been a nice two weeks with them. I like to be aggressive off the ball and with the ball. I am calm like Moise Caicedo and Ngolo Kante, and also Amrabat, I watch him a lot and Wilfred Ndidi,” he told Nigerian reporters in Morocco. 

Nnadi, who was a surprise inclusion in the 28-man squad for the tournament, also recalled the emotional moment he found out he had made the final list.  

“It was an exciting moment for me,” he recalled. “I was on call with my dad and a friend texted me on Instagram to say congratulations.

"Then, I went on Instagram to check Nigeria Super Eagles page then I saw my name. I am not a guy who is like that with so much emotion but I think at that moment I wanted to cry.”

Nigeria currently sit top of Group C with six points and have already secured qualification for the Round of 16 following their victory over Tunisia.

The Super Eagles will face Uganda in their final group match, knowing that avoiding defeat will guarantee them top spot and potentially a more favourable draw in the knockout stage. 

Adeyemi Adewale