Super Eagles midfielder Kelechi Nwakali announced his arrival in League One with a spectacular first goal as Barnsley secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory away at Exeter City on Saturday.
The former FIFA U-17 World Cup winner delivered a moment of brilliance in the 49th minute, unleashing a fierce half-volley from outside the box to bring Barnsley level.
His strike sparked a comeback that eventually saw the visitors claim all three points.
Barnsley had fallen behind early in the 13th minute when Josh Magennis put Exeter ahead.
However, Nwakali, making his fifth league appearance and second start for the club in League One, showcased his quality to ignite Barnsley's fightback.
After Exeter failed to clear their lines, the ball fell kindly to Nwakali, who demonstrated impeccable technique – a half volley, to find the bottom corner.
Davis Keillor-Dunn completed the turnaround in the 58th minute, scoring what proved to be the match-winning goal.
Nwakali’s influential performance earned him the Man of the Match award, as voted by Barnsley fans on the club’s official website.
Kelechi Nwakali's stellar performance in numbers
The 25-year-old midfielder was at the heart of Barnsley’s midfield throughout the game, delivering a performance that underlined his potential for a consistent starting role.
He played the full 90 minutes, completing 56 of his 60 attempted passes, resulting in an impressive 93% pass accuracy.
Nwakali touched the ball 72 times and showcased his vision with six accurate long passes from seven attempts.
In attack, he registered two shots—one on target and one narrowly off target—while dictating the tempo of Barnsley’s play.
Defensively, the Super Eagles star was equally effective, winning four out of six ground duels and all two aerial battles he contested.
It was a commanding performance from Nwakali, who last featured for Nigeria during the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations.
This outstanding display could mark a turning point in Nwakali’s Barnsley career, as he continues to prove his quality in England's third tier.
