‘Completely wide of the mark’ — Barnsley boss denies sacking forgotten Super Eagles star

Barnsley manager Conor Hourihane has shut down reports from Nigeria suggesting that forgotten Super Eagles midfielder Kelechi Nwakali has been sacked by the club.

The 26-year-old, who joined Barnsley last summer, has been absent from the squad this season, but Hourihane insists he remains under contract despite plans for him to move on before the transfer window closes.

After Barnsley’s 1-0 victory over Peterborough United on Tuesday night, Hourihane addressed growing speculation around Nwakali’s status.

The midfielder, who has not featured in any of the club’s opening fixtures nor participated in pre-season, was rumoured to have been let go by the Reds. But the manager strongly denied the claims, calling them false.

“Fired? Not heard anything about that,” Hourihane told BBC Radio Sheffield. “Yes, the plan is for him to move on, and that would be best for all parties, but in terms of ‘fired,’ that’s completely wide of the mark – first time I’ve heard of it.”

Nwakali, whose contract at Oakwell runs until June 2027, is currently out of the first-team setup as discussions over his future continue.

The family maintains that while Kelechi may soon depart Barnsley, suggestions of a sacking are entirely baseless.