Nigeria Tornadoes midfielder Papa Daniel has said he never expected his invitation to the Super Eagles to come so soon.
Daniel caught the eye during the home-based Super Eagles 2024 African Nations Championship CHAN, qualifiers against the Black Galaxies of Ghana last year.
The defensive midfielder has also impressed for Niger Tornadoes in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, this season.
The 23-year-old said his maiden invitation to the Super Eagles came as a surprise to him.
“I never expected it, I was just doing my thing. When I saw the provisional list I was shocked, and then when I saw the 23-man list, I was very very happy,”he told NFF TV.
Daniel and Remo Stars goalkeeper Kayode Bankole are the only local players in the squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
The player reflected on the atmosphere in the team’s camp and thanked the seniors players for helping them settle down.
“Thanks to God because it’s not easy for me to be here and seeing the big boys in camp being my first time with the Super Eagles. I’m very very happy, seeing them around is a motivation for me to do more and show them who I am,” he added.
“They are all friendly, they encourage us, we the home-based players haven’t felt like we’re not among them, this is not like our first time.”
Daniel is also looking forward to making his debut for the three-time African champions.
“To me I know we have everything so I’m just praying for the luck. I’ll be very very happy if I have the chance, I’ll show Nigeria and the world who I am and what I can do,” he stated.
By Adeboye Amosu
6 Comments
The expectation of poor performance will always hang over Papa Daniel like the sword of Damocles because most fans have already written him off.
Papa Daniel has 2 factors working against him: 1. he is home based, 2. he is an inactive home based players having spent recen weeks hawking his services to foreign suitors with resounding failure.
Recently, Benjamin Tanimu failed to win admiration of Super Eagles fans despite playing very well simply because he was based in Tanzania at the time.
Moving to division 3 in England, where he fails to play regularly, has further cemented the disconnect between Tanimu and the fan base.
It remains to be seen how Papa Daniel’s Super Eagles career will pan out.
I have never seen him play to be honest. But those who saw him play for the homebase Super Eagles swear by the family silver and their pension that this Daniel is the big deal.
After the double-header demolition of Ghana in Chan qualifiers last year, ScoreNigeria wrote of Papa Daniel:
“The Niger Tornadoes midfielder was the biggest revelation for the CHAN Eagles over the two legs against Ghana.. A sweet left foot, energetic player who is very comfortable on the ball with a good passing range. He confirmed his class in Uyo.”
So this kid is not a waste of space.
But, many fans will argue that the main Super Eagles is elite and should be reserved for elite players which Papa Daniel is not.
This bloc will contend until they go blue on the face that the best players for the main Super Eagles are solely based in Premier Leagues (at worst division 2s) in Europe.
I disagree.
I think any player anywhere can play for the Super Eagles so long as they possess the requisite skill, competency and capability. Desire and hunger are also valuable variables.
I don’t know whether Papa Daniel will taste any action in these games. If he does, I don’t see why he can’t replicate the kind of performance that won him critical acclaim against Ghana across 2 legs.
@Deo… I beg to differ on Papa Daniel. Dude is a certified baller, and will shock the world if called to duty in the upcoming games… fingers crossed, we shall gather here to check the pulse afterwards!
One love…
I agree with you @Jimmyball. I want this guy in our midfield in the absence of Onyeka and Dele-Basiru who are strong, energetic and have pace in transition from Defence to Attack.
I just don’t want the combination of Ndidi and Aribo in the midfield. They are very weak, slow and look like spent forces in the last one year of their plays with their Relegation bound clubs. They also are in very low morale in their recent games and omur midfield will be overran if Aribo and Ndidi are in the field concurrently.
It’s not about past glory or participation in tournaments, otherwise Ahmed Musa- with 4 goals in two WC appearances; 4 Afcon final presence should be in the squad. It’s present form that counts.
I saw Papa Daniel in Uyo during Chan qualification with Ghana and he completely dominated the midfield and his link up play was superb. I will suggest Coach Chelle to use the guy, if not starting then from the bench.
Hi Jimmy.
I trust you are keeping well. Please I am a bit confused. Which part of my write up are you in disagreement?
I don’t think he read the whole thing.
Seriously this guy is a baller and we really need this guy in our midfield because he is fast and energetic. For me our starting midfield should be Papa Daniel, Wilfred Ndidi and Iwobi. He will surely help Ndidi in times of marking because Ndidi is slow currently so he will surely help Ndidi in that midfield. All the same let’s wish the boys well