Kelechi Nwakali is now a lot fitter and sharper after he turned on a Man-of-the-Match performance for Barnsley to record a big win at Exeter City.
Barnsley boss Darrell Clarke praised the Super Eagles midfielder, who drew the team level in the second half with his first goal in England before they went on to edge it 2-1.
It was Nwakali’s first full debut for ‘The Reds’ after he shone in a couple of cameo appearances.
“He played really well,” Clarke remarked. “I am happy with his development. We have put his fitness level up and now he’s fitter and much sharper.
“We already know the talent he has technically.
“He got us kicked off in the second half.”
However, the Barnsley manager was not pleased with his team’s overall performance particularly in the first half.
“It was bitter-sweet,” he said. “We deserved the win, but we performed miles better in the last five, six games than we did.
“But it was a big three points for us.”
Barnsley are now seventh in the English League One standings with 30 points from 20 matches.
