Nwachukwu happy to be back for insurance

Bendel Insurance midfielder Divine Nwachukwu is raring to go again in the Nigeria Premier Football League after returning from an injury that has kept him out since the end of last season, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The 20-year-old was kept out by a thigh injury and has been out of action for the Benin Arsenal until their last three games.

After missing their CAF Confederation Cup preliminaries and their first 14 games of the season, he came on as a substitute and played 24 minutes in their 1-0 win over Abia Warriors on match-day 15, adding 45 minutes to his belt in the 1-1 draw against Rivers United in Port Harcourt while he also played 36 minutes in their 2-0 win over Enugu Rangers on match-day 17.

“It feels amazing to be back after a very long injury that kept me out for months. It was really difficult for me while undergoing my rehab and I can't even explain how I feel to be back with the team. Gradually I've bene coming on from the bench and I hope to start games as soon as possible,” Nwachukwu told PUNCH Sports Extra.

The player is looking forward to making the most of the rest of his second season in the NPFL after his breakout performance last term. He was a crucial part of their unprecedented 21-game unbeaten run in the league as well as the FA Cup title, scoring one goal and providing five assists in the regular season.

Bendel Insurance currently sit sixth in the NPFL table with 27 points from 17 matches ahead of their away match-day 18 game at Bayelsa United.

Last season, he also scored three goals during the Super 6 playoffs which earned him a call up to Jose Peseiro's 23-man list for Nigeria's AFCON qualifier against Sierra Leone.

The 20-year-old has risen through the ranks of Nigeria's age-grade football, having represented the country at the U-15 and U-17 levels between 2017 and 2019.

He made a combined five substitute appearances at the 2019 U-17 AFCON in Tanzania and the U-17 World Cup in Brazil.

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