Kelechi Nwakali

Kelechi Nwakali (born June 5, 1998) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder. Recognized for his technical ability, vision, and leadership on the pitch, Nwakali gained early prominence as the captain of the Nigerian team that won the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Early Life and Career Beginnings Kelechi Nwakali was born in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. His talent was developed at the Diamond Football Academy in Umuahia, where he honed his skills alongside his older brother, Chidiebere Nwakali. His performances at the youth level quickly attracted international attention, setting the stage for his move to Europe. Career Progression Nwakali's breakthrough came in 2015 when he captained the Nigerian Golden Eaglets to victory at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile, earning the Golden Ball award as the tournament's best player. Following his success at the World Cup, Nwakali signed with English club Arsenal in 2016. Due to work permit issues, he spent his time at Arsenal on a series of loan spells across Europe, primarily in Spain and the Netherlands, to gain professional experience. His primary loan spells included: * **MVV Maastricht (2016–2017):** In the Netherlands, Nwakali quickly became a vital player, helping the club reach the Eerste Divisie promotion play-offs. * **VVV-Venlo (2017–2018):** He moved to the Dutch top flight (Eredivisie) for further experience. * **Porto B (2018–2019):** He played in Portugal’s second tier, continuing his development. * **SD Huesca (2019–2022):** Nwakali made a permanent move to SD Huesca in Spain, initially helping the club achieve promotion to La Liga. He became a significant player for Huesca in the Segunda División, though his time there ended controversially following a dispute with the club management.**Current Status** Following his departure from Huesca, Nwakali signed with SD Ponferradina in the Spanish Segunda División. In 2023, he transitioned to play for the Portuguese club G.D. Chaves, where he currently features in the Primeira Liga, the top tier of Portuguese football. International Career and Major Achievements Nwakali has represented Nigeria at various levels. * **FIFA U-17 World Cup (2015):** Captained Nigeria to victory and was awarded the Golden Ball (Best Player). * **Senior National Team:** Nwakali made his senior debut for the Nigerian national team, the Super Eagles, in 2021. He was part of the squad that competed in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), featuring in several games and contributing to the team's performance in the tournament.His primary achievements include: * FIFA U-17 World Cup Winner (2015) * FIFA U-17 World Cup Golden Ball (2015) * Segunda División Winner with SD Huesca (2020)Known for his box-to-box midfield play, Nwakali continues his career in Europe, striving to secure a lasting role at the highest level of professional football.