Nigeria Soccer Federation’s Technical Director, Augustine Eguavoen, has defended the choice to incorporate Papa Daniel Mustapha within the Nigeria squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers in opposition to Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
Eguavoen defined that he, together with Eric Chelle and different NPFL coaches, watched Papa Daniel intently earlier than including him to the nationwide crew.
The previous Tremendous Eagles supervisor additionally urged nationwide crew coaches to incorporate NPFL gamers within the squad, so Nigerians can see their expertise on the worldwide stage.
For the March internationals, Malian coach Chelle has chosen two gamers from the home league: Daniel and goalkeeper Kayode Bankole.
Eguavoen revealed that he had deliberate to provide Nasarawa United centre-back Victor Collins his debut throughout final November’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in opposition to Rwanda, however he didn’t get the possibility to play because the Tremendous Eagles have been dropping.
Talking to House Turf, Eguavoen stated: “I agree, within the final two video games, I had two NPFL gamers within the squad. Sadly, they didn’t get the possibility to play. Within the final sport in opposition to Rwanda, I used to be assured we might win at dwelling, and we have been forward. I deliberate to carry them on in direction of the tip, however they didn’t get an opportunity.”
Eguavoen additionally talked about his go to to Remo Stars, the place he and Nigeria coach Eric Chelle watched the CHAN Eagles prepare. It was there that he noticed Papa Daniel play for the primary time.
“I went to Remo with Sekou Chelle to look at the CHAN crew prepare, and it was my first time seeing Papa Daniel play. After I was the Tremendous Eagles coach, I instructed the Bendel Insurance coverage coach to look at groups in Benin and ship me names, and he gave me two names. Papa Daniel was one among them.”
Additional assist for Daniel’s capacity got here from conversations with the coaches of Remo Stars and Rangers, who have been additionally Eguavoen’s assistants on the time.
“After I spoke to the coaches of Remo Stars and Rangers, who have been my assistants, they talked about Papa Daniel. I didn’t see him play then, however I trusted their suggestion. After that sport, I made a decision to carry him in.”
What Eguavoen noticed at Remo satisfied him, and Chelle, who was with him, agreed. This probably led to their determination to incorporate Daniel within the squad.
Papa Daniel is now in line for a midfield function in opposition to Rwanda and Zimbabwe, competing with skilled gamers like Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, and Joe Aribo, as properly Raphael Onyedika and Alhassan Yusuf.
