Newly invited Super Eagles midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi has described the guidance and discipline he received at Campos FC during his formative years as the major driving force behind his rapid rise to Nigeria’s senior national team.

 

Speaking in a recent interview following his first-ever Super Eagles call-up ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Imo State–born footballer expressed surprise and excitement at the development, describing it as a dream come true.

 

“I wasn’t expecting it so soon,” Nnadi said. “A friend texted me on Instagram to congratulate me, and I was like, ‘Wow!’ Then I called my dad and told him, ‘Dad, I’m going to the AFCON.’ He was very happy, and all my family members are happy.”

 

Nnadi, who hails from Imo State, traced the foundation of his career to Campos Academy in Owerri, an institution he credits for shaping both his footballing and personal discipline. The academy, which now competes in the Nationwide League One (NLO), played a crucial role in his development.

 

“I grew up in Imo State and started playing at Campos Academy Owerri,” he explained. “The academy helped me a lot because it is a place where you get to work hard, not only on the pitch but off the pitch as well. They monitor you during your schooling and everything.”

 

The midfielder described his Super Eagles invitation as the fulfillment of a lifelong ambition. Having previously represented Nigeria at the Under-20 level, he said stepping into the senior national team marks a major milestone in his career.

 

“It’s a dream come true. I have always dreamed of being in the national team one day. I played in the Under-20s, and now I’m in the Super Eagles. Even though I wasn’t expecting it this soon, I’m happy to be here,” he said.

 

Growing up, Nnadi revealed that Nigerian football legend Kanu Nwankwo was his first role model, while current Super Eagles stars Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka also inspired him, particularly as Onyeka plays in the same Belgian league as him.

 

Beyond local influences, he cited global football icons such as Cristiano Ronaldo as sources of motivation, admiring their discipline, consistency, and relentless work ethic.

 

“I’m inspired by the passion and love for football, and by what I saw growing up,” Nnadi noted. “When you look at players like Cristiano Ronaldo, you see how much hard work and dedication it takes to reach the top.”

 

Acknowledging the weight of representing Nigeria on the continental stage, Nnadi admitted that playing for a football-loving nation of over 200 million people comes with immense pressure. However, he expressed readiness to embrace the challenge.

 

“I know being in the national team comes with a lot of pressure,” he said. “But I’m here to show my quality, fight for the team, and I hope we win the AFCON.”

 

With his blend of humility, ambition, and determination, Tochukwu Nnadi’s Super Eagles journey is just beginning, and many Nigerian football fans will be watching closely as he seeks to make his mark on the biggest stage in African football.