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Tag: Nwakali

  • Barnsley Coach refutes  Nwakali’s dismissal

    Barnsley Coach refutes  Nwakali’s dismissal

    Barnsley head coach Conor Hourihane has firmly denied reports that Nigerian midfielder Kelechi Nwakali has been sacked by the club, calling the rumours completely inaccurate.

     “Fired? Not heard anything about that. Wide of the mark,” Hourihane said when asked about the speculation.

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    Despite ongoing transfer talks, Hourihane made it clear that Nwakali remains a Barnsley player, and any potential departure would not be due to disciplinary or contractual termination. Instead, the coach suggested that Nwakali could leave in search of more consistent playing time.

    “We’re open to what’s best for the player and the club,” Hourihane added.

    According to sources close to the situation, three to four clubs are currently monitoring Nwakali, who may make a move before the transfer window closes. His future at Oakwell is still under discussion, but it’s expected to be resolved soon.

  • Ex-Eaglets captain Nwakali  joins Barnsley

    Ex-Eaglets captain Nwakali  joins Barnsley

    Former Golden Eaglets’ FIFA U-17  World Cup- winning captain Kelechi Nwakali  has  took his trade  to  the United Kingdom after signing  for  English  third-tier  side, Barnsley FC from  Portuguese side, from G.D Chaves for an undisclosed fee subject to visa and international clearance.

     The  club announced  that  the  26-year-old  at Oakwell on a three-year deal from the Portuguese side after making 32 appearances in the Primeira Liga last season.

    Kelechi said, “I am very happy to sign for Barnsley Football Club. I spoke to Mladen and the Head Coach Darrell earlier in the summer and I knew that this was an exciting opportunity for me, I know I can bring a lot to the team. I am looking forward to being back in England and making Oakwell my home for the next three years,” Nwakali told the club’s website.

    Kelechi started his career at Arsenal after impressing the Gunners at the 2015 U17 World Cup where he won the Golden Ball award as the best player in the tournament.

    After various loan spells across Europe, Nwakali joined La Liga side Huesca in 2019 and went on to play for Alcorcón and Ponferradina in Spain before joining Chaves in 2023.

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    The skilful midfield player represented Nigeria at various youth levels before gaining his first full cap in 2022 at the African Cup of Nations. Kelechi came off the bench for The Super Eagles in wins against Egypt and Sudan in the group stages before starting the final game against Guinea-Bissau with Nigerian side running out 2-0 winners.

    Barnsley’s Sporting Director Mladen Sormaz said  the club cashed  on Nwakali’s desire  to return to England, adding  his experience across  playing in Europe would bolster the fortune of the team as well.

    He said: “There is no doubt that Kelechi is a really talented player who can offer Darrell something different. We knew that the player wanted to return to England and that gave us an opportunity to bring him to Oakwell and we believe his experience playing in some of Europe’s top leagues will benefit us over the coming years. He has had a shortened pre-season and we’ll ease him into first team action over the coming weeks. “

  • I don’t regret playing for Nigeria, Nwakali insists

    One month after honouring the call to play for the Dream Team VII in their crucial AFCON U-23 second round qualifying match against Libya, Assistant Captain of the team, Kelechi Nwakali is still stranded in Nigeria, AOIFootball.com reports.

    The former U-17 captain, who did not heed his club’s advice not to come to Nigeria, has been left a frustrated figure in the nation’s capital, Abuja, as he continues to work on a visa to enable him to return to Portugal.

    Speaking exclusively to AOIFootball.com, the Arsenal loanee insisted he had no regrets honouring the country’s invitation but hopes he has not done so at a the risk to his career following the current situation.

    “I’m very worried about the current situation of things. I should have returned to my club and started playing already and also getting set for next season but my decision to honour the game against Libya has put me in this situation which is becoming very troublesome for me.

    “I told the coaches before coming that my going back to Portugal might be difficult because I don’t have a resident permit in England and I was also not given one in Portugal so it had really complicated things for me,” a frustrated Nwakali lamented.

    He further stated that the situation has now made him make up his mind on a permanent stay in Arsenal next season or move away from the club to avoid being shipped on loan for another season.

    The 2015  FIFA U-17  World Golden Ball winner joined Arsenal in 2016 before spending loan spells at MVV Maastricht (twice), VVV-Venlo and now Porto but believes it’s time for him to fight for a place in the Gunners’ squad or seek a new adventure ahead of the 2019/2020 season.

  • Awoniyi, Nwakali, Chukwueze hit Tunisia March 18

    Officials have informed SCORENIGERIA that Taiwo Awoniyi, Kelechi Nwakali, Samuel Chukwueze, Orji Okonkwo and Kingsley Michael will hit Tunisia directly from their overseas bases for a U-23 AFCON qualifier against Libya.

    “The players are due to depart their bases on March 17 and arrive in Tunisia the following day,” an official told SCORENIGERIA.

    Awoniyi, who has previously featured for the U-23s and has been in super form at Belgian club Royal Excel Mouscron, where he has now netted seven goals in eight appearances in the league.

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    Nwakali features for FC Porto B, Okonkwo is in the MLS on loan from Serie A club Bologna, while Chukwueze is from Villarreal. These three players featured at the 2015 U-17 FIFA World Cup in Chile, which Nigeria won for a record fifth time.

    Turkey-based Azubuike Okechukwu, who captained the country to win the 2015 U-23 AFCON in Senegal, will also join the team in Tunisia direct from his base.

  • Nwakali impressive in FC Porto B’s first win of the season

    Former U-17 World Cup winning captain, Kelechi Nwakali will start his fourth league game for Porto B team on Saturday when they host S.L Benfica B at the Estadio Dr Jorge Sampaio on matchday 15 of the Portuguese Segunda Liga, AOIFootball.com can authoritatively confirm.

    The 20-year-old Arsenal loanee has struggled for regular playing time under Coach Rui Barros despite impressing in training, but he, however, confirmed to AOIFootball.com that he will be starting his side’s first game of the New Year.

    “Yes, we have a game tomorrow against Benfica at home and I will be starting the match. I will give my 100% as I have always done both in training and on the pitch.

    “It won’t be an easy game for both sides but hopefully we should be able to get all three points,” Nwakali said.

    Another Nigerian who could also feature for the B team of Porto is Super Eagles’ defender, Chidozie Awaziem who has been relegated to the B team with the defender likely to seek a loan move out of the club in the coming days to boost his chances of returning to the Super Eagles.

  • Nwakali eyes Porto’s main team

    Former U-17 World Cup-winning captain, Kelechi Nwakali, has declared he is ready to fight and play for both the FC Porto main team and their Team B, admitting he’s happy to have joined a club that can help him continue to improve his game.

    The 20-year-old attacking midfielder joined the Portuguese giants on loan from Arsenal and will team up with fellow Nigerians Mikel Agu and Yahaya Muhammed ahead of the new season.

    Nwakali said he was excited about the new challenge, whilst also confirming he will be registered for both the A and B teams.

    “FC Porto is a very big club and I’m excited to be playing with an outfit that has a big European achievement. I know the challenge ahead and I’m fully ready and committed to making the best of my stay in Portugal. Hopefully, I will get a chance with the main team because I know I have what it takes to play at the very top,” Nwakali noted.

    Kelechi Nwakali will definitely be on the radar of Coach Gernot Rohr in the nearest future he impressed in May’s friendly against Europa League champions, Athletico Madrid in Uyo.

  • Nwakali boasts: I must play for Super Eagles

    Nigeria international Kelechi Nwakali has boasted that he will feature in every game the Super Eagles will play beginning with the September 7 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Seychelles at home till the country lifts the 2022 World Cup slated to hold in Qatar.

    Disclosing this to his fans on his Instagram page yesterday afternoon, Nwakali stated that he is nursing no ill-feeling over being dropped from Nigeria’s World Cup team to the ongoing Russia 2018 World Cup competition, insisting that, ‘‘Na so God want am to be. I will play every game the Super Eagles would play henceforth until the Qatar 2022 World Cup finals.’’

    Nwakali used the platform to deny joining Dutch side NAC Breda FC in Holland, pointing out that he was in Portugal, preparing for the new season in Europe.

    Nwakali revealed further that he would begin training with Porto on Monday, although he was reluctant to confirm if he had signed a new deal with the Portuguese side.

    But the funny side of Nwakali came to the fore when one of his fans admired his army camouflage attire, when he said, ‘‘I like wearing army camouflage but I drop all of them whenever I’m coming to Nigeria. I don’t like to look for trouble.’’

    When prodded why he wouldn’t wear camouflage attires while in Nigeria, Nwakali said, ‘‘I no wan look for trouble. I no want any beating from anyone because I know my boundary. I no wan soldier to beat me. I know say na dem cloth be that, so when I dey Portugal, I dey wear my camouflage from cap down to shoes or even slippers. But not when I am in Nigeria,’’ Nwakali added.

  • Nwakali returns to Nigeria to see sick mum

    Nwakali returns to Nigeria to see sick mum

    Ex-Nigeria youth international Chidiebere Nwakali was the Man of the Match for Sogndal in their 2-0 win over Kristiansund BK when he scored in the 76th minute to seal the win with a superb 25-yard free kick.

    It was his second goal of the league season.

    The Manchester City loanee will now jet out to be with his sick mother in Nigeria.

    “It’s about professionalism,” he said.

    “I’m going home right now after the game and will stay there for the international break. Then I will come back. That’s what’s my job is about, I have to distinguish between work and emotion.

    “My mum is better now, so everything looks good, but I will go home anyway to visit my parents in Imo State.”

    Sogndal coach Eirik Bakke saluted Nwakali’s quality and professionalism.

    “It speaks all about the mentality that he has stayed here, and today we see what he means to the club,” said the coach.

  • Nwakali to storm England July 31 to complete Arsenal deal

    Nwakali to storm England July 31 to complete Arsenal deal

    Nigeria U-20 international Kelechi Nwakali and his entourage will jet out to London, England at the end of this month to formalize his switch to Premier League side Arsenal, according to the CEO of his club Emeka Amajiriaku.

    Nwakali, 18, has agreed a deal in principle to join the Gunners but national team duties prevented him from traveling to the United Kingdom.

    The 2015 Fifa U17 World Cup Golden Ball winner was in action on Saturday as the Nigeria U20s failed to qualify for the Africa U20 Cup of Nations following their 4-3 loss to Sudan in Surulere.

    “Kelechi is leaving Nigeria between 30th and 31st of July, his ticket has already been booked. His senior brother Allwell and his mother will accompany him on the trip, ”ASJ Academy supremo Amajiriaku told allnigeriasoccer.com.

    “He is in high spirits because he is joining Arsenal, he is one hundred percent fit.

    “He felt sorry that the Flying Eagles could not qualify for the Nations Cup and has insisted that it is not the fault of the players. Heaven knows what happened, that is the way God wants it. ”

    Kelechi Nwakali and former Arsenal target Samuel Chukwueze have resumed training with ASJ Academy ahead of their trip to Europe.

  • Nwakali set to complete Arsenal move

    Nwakali set to complete Arsenal move

    The President of Diamond Football Academy, Umuahia, Martin Apugo, has confirmed that Nigeria U-20 international Kelechi Nwakali will travel to London, United Kingdom sometime this month to complete his move to Arsenal.

    Kelechi Nwakali’s sporting rights are both owned by ASJ Academy and Diamond Academy, and the Owerri based nursery team and the player’s intermediary, Allwell Nwakali, had earlier stated that the central midfielder will formalise his switch to the Emirates this month.

    “Kelechi Nwakali was with Arsenal but came back from London to join the national team. He will travel this month to Arsenal, he is still in the Flying Eagles camp, ” said Martin Apugo to allnigeriasoccer.com.

    “He has agreed a five – year contract, he is a player of Arsenal.”