Cut above the rest: Nwakali scores first goal in Barnsley colours but taken off with suspected injury
Published: October 01, 2024Kelechi Nwakali was arguably the standout performer as Barnsley were beaten 4-3 by Peterborough United in a Professional Development League fixture in South Yorkshire on Tuesday afternoon.
The former Arsenal midfielder has yet to make his senior debut for Barnsley since his return to England in the summer transfer window, with first team boss Darrell Clarke suggesting that he's not in tiptop condition having missed the whole of pre-season preparations.
Nwakali has been drafted into the development squad for a couple of games in a bid to step up his match fitness ahead of a potential debut for the first team.
The 2015 Fifa U17 World Cup Golden Ball winner was a cut above the rest during this afternoon's clash at Oakwell Showcase Pitch witnessed by allnigeriasoccer.com.
Peterborough United had a dream start to the game, opening the scoring through Joe Davies in the very first minute, but Barnsley responded quickly as Josiah Dyer brought the game back to parity five minutes later.
In the fifteenth minute, Nwakali fired a powerful first-time effort from outside the box that sailed just above the crossbar after winning possession twenty yards from goal.
Three minutes later, he came close again to scoring his first goal in Barnsley colours but his brilliant freekick came off the underside of the bar and bounced away before the ball was cleared by the Posh defence.
The Nigeria international saw another shot from outside the box narrowly miss the target in the 39th minute.
Those misses would prove costly as Davies bagged his second of the afternoon at minute 42.
Nwakali, who took most of Barnsley's freekicks and corner kicks, was thwarted by Bilokapic right before halftime, as the Peterborough United goalkeeper tipped his curling freekick over the bar.
After Harley Mills doubled the advantage for the visitors in the 52nd minute, Nwakali won a penalty after he was fouled in the box but Theo Chapman could not convert from the spot in the 61st minute.
The former Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles captain pulled one back in the 63rd minute when he collected the ball inside the box and fired a powerful shot past the goalkeeper.
Two minutes after his first goal for Barnsley, Nwakali made way for Callum West and it is believed that it was an injury-enforced substitution, as the midfielder was seen holding his hamstring as he walked off the pitch.
The 26-year-old is unlikely to make his senior debut for the Reds on Tuesday evening when they welcome Wycombe Wanderers to Oakwell in the League One.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com
- 'He's lethal' - Tottenham great Glenn Hoddle hails versatility of two-footed Fulham midfielder Iwobi
- 'Technically possible' - Napoli sporting director reacts to reports linking Osimhen to PSG in January
- Copa del Rey: Iheanacho on target for Sevilla in 3-1 win over fourth-tier club
- Red-hot Iwobi nets brace for only the second time in his PL career as Fulham beat Brighton
- 'My family is Nigerian' - Arsenal U21 captain confirms eligibility to represent 9-time African champions
- How to find slots with the best bonus rounds in Hungary
- 'Some news' - Ex-Torino defender turned agent reveals Juventus will try to sign Lookman in June 2025
- 'Role on the right' - AC Milan coach justifies choosing USMNT star over Chukwueze
- PL ignores Aina, his backers BBC pundit and Lionesses legend: Forest RB misses out on Goal of the Month
- 'On the back foot' - West Ham icon blames centre-back wanted by Nigeria for Aribo's goal v Chelsea
- Football Betting
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Casinos not on Gamstop
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football
- Jun88