Kelechi Nwakali delivered a match-winning performance on his full league debut, guiding Barnsley to a crucial 2-1 victory over Exeter City at St James Park.
The Nigerian midfielder’s commanding display in his 6th game and first start not only earned him the Man of the Match award but also helped Barnsley end a frustrating six-match winless run, reigniting their promotion push in League One.
The game got off to a challenging start for Barnsley, as Exeter City took the lead in the 13th minute.
Josh Magennis’ deflected free-kick left the visitors trailing at halftime, with Barnsley struggling to find their rhythm.
Just four minutes into the second half, the 26-year-old midfielder capitalized on a defensive error by Exeter to pounce on the ball and slot it home, leveling the score at 1-1
Kelechi Nwakali @nwakali25 scores his first goal for Barnsley with a fine effort from just outside the box. 🎯 pic.twitter.com/DQn2wqvZ8X
— Home of Nigerian Football (@EaglesTrackerNG) December 14, 2024
Nwakali’s equalizer sparked a resurgence from Barnsley, and just nine minutes later, Stephen Humphrys sent in a perfect cross for Davis Keillor-Dunn, who calmly tapped in the winner to put the visitors ahead.
Despite late pressure from Exeter, Barnsley held firm to secure their first victory in seven matches, lifting them to 7th place in the table with 30 points.
Man of the Match Performance
Nwakali’s influence on the game was undeniable. His goal was a moment of individual brilliance, but it was his overall contribution in midfield that proved to be the key to Barnsley’s success.
The former Super Eagles player’s vision, composure, and work rate were central to Barnsley’s recovery, making him the standout player of the match.
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Looking Ahead
With Nwakali’s form back on track, Barnsley will now look to build on this important victory as they prepare for their next challenge against Leyton Orient on Saturday.
The win has restored confidence in the squad and given them renewed belief in their promotion ambitions.
For Nwakali, it was the perfect response to his full league debut, and with his impressive performance, Barnsley will be hoping for more of the same in the weeks to come as they aim to climb the League One standings.
