English Club Demotes Super Eagles Star to U21 Squad After Pre-season Fall Out

• A Nigerian Super Eagles player has been demoted to the U21 team of an English club over disciplinary issues
• The midfielder was permitted to leave during the summer transfer window, but no club showed interest
• The contract of the player runs till the end of 2027, but he has been separated from the rest of the team for training
• Former Nigerian goalkeeper Dele Abubakar said Nwakali can still rescue his career if he becomes more disciplined

A Super Eagles midfielder has been relegated by his team, following his inability to secure a summer transfer away from the club.

The player was touted to be the replacement of Super Eagles legends like Pius Ikedia, Victor Ikpeba, and Garba Lawal.

After making a huge impact at the 2015 FIFA World Cup alongside Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze, the player has failed to live up to expectations at the senior national team.

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Barnsley demotes Kelechi Nwakali

EFL League Once club Barnsley has relegated Nigerian international Kelechi Nwakali to the U21 team ahead of the new season.

According to Daily Cannon, the former Arsenal player reported late for pre-season after spending his post-holiday in Nigeria with family and friends.

The former U17 star missed pre-season games against Plymouth Argyle, Burton Albion, Fleetwood Town and Bolton Wanderers.

The midfielder, who joined the club in 2024, made 26 appearances for the third division side, including 15 starts in all competitions, before falling out with coach Conor Hourihane.

Barnsley manager Conor Hourihane had confirmed in multiple interviews that the club intended to sell the Super Eagles star, right up until the end of the summer window. He said:

"Time will tell. There was a scenario that happened from my point of view. He hasn’t been involved in the squad over the course of pre-season.

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“Obviously, there’s a couple of weeks to go in the window. Let’s see where it takes us.”

The midfielder committed a similar offence during his playing days at Spanish club Huesca before he was let go, per OwnGoal.

Portuguese side, Chaves filed a disciplinary case against Kelechi Nwakali, who was on his phone on the substitute bench during their home defeat to Famalicao in 2024.

Nwakali can still fulfil his potential - Abubakar

Former Nigerian goalkeeper Dele Abubakar said Super Eagles star Nwakali can still rescue his career if he becomes more disciplined.

Speaking in an exclusive comment with Legit.ng, Abubakar explained that there are lots of ex-internationals who suffered similar experiences. He said:

"Honestly, I am not happy that Kelechi Nwakali is not fulfilling his potential. During the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, many of us believed that Nwakali would be the solution to our midfield problems after the departure of John Mikel Obi.

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"I am optimistic Nwakali will overcome his current predicament and bounce back. The nation needs him; he is a shining star, and much is still expected from him."

Nwakali receives red card for punching opponent

Legit.ng earlier reported that former Arsenal midfielder Kelechi Nwakali was shown a red card after he punched an opponent during the clash between Barnsley U21 and Birmingham City academy.

The report states that Nwakali, who appeared visibly frustrated, struck an opponent in the 78th minute as his side trailed 1-2.

Source: Legit.ng