'I'm here to play' - Super Eagles midfielder Nwakali determined to prove his worth at Barnsley

Kelechi Nwakali made his competitive debut for Barnsley as they were beaten 2-0 by Huddersfield Town in a Bristol Street Motors Trophy at the John Smith's Stadium on Tuesday night.

Two months after his signing was announced by The Reds, a first team debut was inevitable following his outstanding performance for the development squad in a Professional Development League tie with Peterborough United on October 1.

It was a losing debut for the Super Eagles midfielder as goals from 2011 Flying Eagles invitee Freddie Ladapo and Danny Ward secured a win for the home team. 

Nwakali was disappointed that Barnsley were beaten twice by Huddersfield Town within three days.

"It's a difficult moment. We lost on Saturday to them and losing again today, it's disappointing, we came here to win but it's football, it happens," Nwakali told Barnsley media. 

"We'll go back to learn from our mistakes and keep improving."

On a positive note, the 2015 Fifa U17 World Cup Golden Ball winner played in his first competitive match for Barnsley.

"I feel good because it has been long, I am here to help the team, to prove my worth. It was a good game altogether," the Barnsley number 50 remarked.

Nwakali made a couple of appearances for Barnsley's development squad to kind of build up his match fitness, and played in a bigger stadium with more fans on his debut against the Terriers. 

"The games were good, it was helpful for me but at the same time it's not the same level. It was good playing in those games and having game time today.

"I am here to play so it feels good getting into the team to play again."

On his ambitions moving forward, Nwakali said: "The most important thing is to improve my game here and to help the team achieve their goals which I believe the aim is to get promoted".

Nwakali hobbled off the field in his last outing for Barnsley's development squad but was cleared to make his debut against Huddersfield Town. 

The 26-year-old went the full ninety on his debut and will be targeting to play his first game in League One after the international break. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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