Eguavoen defends Eric Chelle’s decision to hand Papa Daniel Super Eagles call-up
Nigeria Football Federation’s Technical Director, Augustine Eguavoen, has defended the decision to include Papa Daniel Mustapha in the Nigeria squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
Eguavoen explained that he, along with Eric Chelle and other NPFL coaches, watched Papa Daniel closely before adding him to the national team.
The former Super Eagles manager also urged national team coaches to include NPFL players in the squad, so Nigerians can see their talent on the international stage.
For the March internationals, Malian coach Chelle has selected two players from the domestic league: Daniel and goalkeeper Kayode Bankole.
Eguavoen revealed that he had planned to give Nasarawa United centre-back Victor Collins his debut during last November’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Rwanda, but he didn’t get the chance to play as the Super Eagles were losing.
Speaking to Home Turf, Eguavoen said: “I agree, in the last two games, I had two NPFL players in the squad. Unfortunately, they didn’t get the chance to play. In the last game against Rwanda, I was confident we would win at home, and we were ahead. I planned to bring them on towards the end, but they didn’t get a chance.”
Eguavoen also talked about his visit to Remo Stars, where he and Nigeria coach Eric Chelle watched the CHAN Eagles train. It was there that he saw Papa Daniel play for the first time.
“I went to Remo with Sekou Chelle to watch the CHAN team train, and it was my first time seeing Papa Daniel play. When I was the Super Eagles coach, I told the Bendel Insurance coach to watch teams in Benin and send me names, and he gave me two names. Papa Daniel was one of them.”
Further support for Daniel’s ability came from conversations with the coaches of Remo Stars and Rangers, who were also Eguavoen’s assistants at the time.
“When I spoke to the coaches of Remo Stars and Rangers, who were my assistants, they mentioned Papa Daniel. I didn’t see him play then, but I trusted their recommendation. After that game, I decided to bring him in.”
What Eguavoen saw at Remo convinced him, and Chelle, who was with him, agreed. This likely led to their decision to include Daniel in the squad.
Papa Daniel is now in line for a midfield role against Rwanda and Zimbabwe, competing with experienced players like Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, and Joe Aribo, as well Raphael Onyedika and Alhassan Yusuf.
