Three players of Nigerian descent help Sheffield Wednesday seal return to Championship 

Sheffield Wednesday will be playing Championship football next season after securing promotion via the League One playoffs, beating Barnsley 1-0 at the National Stadium in London on Monday evening. 

2014 Olympic Eagles' invitee Dominic Iorfa and Liverpool academy product Michael Ihiekwe were named in the starting lineup by Sheffield Wednesday manager Darren Moore with both playing the entirety of the game, while 2019 Flying Eagles invitee Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Dennis Adeniran were on the bench.

Sheffield Wednesday were relegated from the Championship on the final day of the 2020-2021 season and they are now making a return to the division after two years. 

The Owls showed patience as they had to wait until the third minute of stoppage time in extra-time before netting the winning goal, just as it seemed penalties would be required to decide the winner. 

There was nothing to separate the two sides at halftime. Iorfa came close to opening the scoring but saw his effort saved in the ninth minute of the encounter at Wembley. 

In the second half, Barnsley who had been reduced to ten men after Adam Phillips was sent off, nearly took the lead through Liam Kitching, whose header came off the post.

Ihiekwe looked destined to score a potential winner for Sheffield Wednesday, only for his header to be cleared off the line by Mads Andersen in the 92nd minute. 

Moore shored up his midfield by replacing Barry Bannan with Fisayo Dele-Bashiru in the 116th minute. 

Josh Windass headed home a dramatic winner in the 123rd minute to send the Owls into the Championship. 

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