Super Eagles star returns from injury ahead of league meeting with Villarreal II

The Nigeria international has made 58 appearances combined in Spain’s second division for three different clubs, scoring five goals and providing an assist

Super Eagles midfielder Kelechi Nwakali has returned to training for Ponferradina a few weeks after succumbing to a knee injury.

Nwakali suffered the knock in the second half of Ponferradina’s away league clash with Malaga at the Estadio La Rosaleda on November 26, a game the visitors lost courtesy of an unfortunate Erik Moran own goal.

The injury kept Nwakali out of Ponferradina’s league matches against Burgos, Levante, Lugo, and Mirandes. Ponferradina only won one of those encounters – the narrow 1-0 triumph over Lugo at the Estadio El Toralín in Ponferrada.

That stadium will also be the venue of Ponferradina’s next La Liga two fixture scheduled for January 6 and Nwakali will be eager to play a part.

And luckily on Thursday, Nwakali returned to Ponferradina’s team training as he looms to step up his fitness level.

The Arsenal academy product has made 16 league appearances for La Ponfe, clocking 1,319 minutes on the pitch, and scoring one goal.

Ponferradina need all the help they can get as they currently occupy one of La Liga 2 relegation spots after winning only five of 21 matches.

Victor Osimhen favourites to pick two awards

Meanwhile, Napoli has nominated Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen for two end-of-the-year awards.

The Nigerian striker is featured in the categories for Napoli’s best goal and best assist of the year 2022 awards.

Osimhen sits atop the Italian Serie A goalscorer chart with nine goals. Napoli are also the league’s runaway leader, ahead of champions AC Milan and bitter rivals Inter Milan.