'Chelle was convinced' - Eguavoen reveals backstory behind Papa Daniel's first Super Eagles call-up

Nigeria Football Federation's Technical Director Augustine Eguavoen has defended the inclusion of Papa Daniel Mustapha in the Nigeria squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda's Wasps and Zimbabwe's Warriors.

Eguavoen stated that he, along with Eric Chelle and other NPFL coaches, closely monitored Papa Daniel before the midfielder's inclusion in Nigeria’s latest national team selection.

The former Super Eagles manager has urged the national team coaches to ensure that they include NPFL players in the squad list for international games, allowing Nigerians to see their talent on a bigger stage.

For the March internationals, Malian football tactician Chelle has selected two footballers plying their trade in the domestic championship, in the shape of Daniel and goalkeeper Kayode Bankole.

Eguavoen admitted that he planned to hand a debut to Nasarawa United centre-back Victor Collins during the closing minutes of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Rwanda last November, but he did not get the chance to play because the Super Eagles were trailing by a goal.

Speaking to Home Turf, Eguavoen stated: "I agree, the last two games, I had two players from the NPFL that was in the team.

"Unfortunately they didn't get the chance to play. The last game we lost to Rwanda, my thought was we are at home, I was very confident we will win that game, we actually went up.

"My thinking was towards the end I will introduce both of them but unfortunately they didn't have a chance to come in."

Eguavoen also spoke about his visit to Remo Stars, where he, along with Nigeria coach Eric Chelle, observed the CHAN Eagles team train and it was there that he saw Papa Daniel play for the first time.

"I was in Remo sometime ago with Sekou Chelle, I went to watch the CHAN team train, and it was my first time actually of seeing Papa Daniel play.

"When I was the Super Eagles coach I told the Bendel Insurance coach, because Abuja is not so close to Benin, anytime a team comes to Benin to play, watch them and give me names, and he gave me two names. Papa Daniel happens to be one of them."

Further validation of Daniel’s abilities came from conversations with the coaches of Remo Stars and Rangers, who happened to be Eguavoen's assistants at the time.

"When I spoke to the Remo Stars and Rangers coach, fortunately they were my assistants, they also mentioned Papa Daniel, a couple of them as well, but I didn't see Papa Daniel play, but I believe the recommendation and I was thinking after that game I would bring in Papa Daniel.

"What I saw in Remo I was convinced, I was there with Chelle, so he was also convinced with the same Rangers  centre-back (Ifeanyi Onyebuchi). Probably that's what informed him to make sure they are part of this team."

Papa Daniel is in contention for a midfield role against Rwanda and Zimbabwe, competing against seasoned players Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, and Joe Aribo, as well as emerging prospects Raphael Onyedika and Alhassan Yusuf.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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