Slavia Prague midfielder Mubarak Suleiman has said his call-up to the Super Eagles, for their Group L AFCON 2027 qualifiers with Tanzania was a shock to him.
Suleiman was named in Eric Chelle’s 24-man squad for the double-header billed for today (Friday, November 13) and Tuesday November 17.
“I’m happy to be here and since I came (to camp) everybody has been friendly which was not what I expected because I thought some of them will be giving attitude because they are big players,” Suleiman told the Super Eagles media.
“So I’m happy to be among them and my first training session was good and I think I learnt many things from them and it’s something I’ve been dreaming of because in 2021 I went for trial with the U-17 but it did not work out and back then I hoped another opportunity will come and when I got the call-up to the Super Eagles I was so surprised.
“I believed my form was ok and an opportunity will come but I didn’t think the opportunity will come with the senior team. So, when I got the call-up I was so happy.”
Suleiman revealed how his parents and friends reacted when he got his first Super Eagles call-up.
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“My family was so excited, my mother was so emotional, she did not even expect that this kind of opportunity would happen so she was happy. My father, of course my friends, people in my village everyday was happy.”
On his first training with the team, the 19-year-old added:”In my first training with the team I learned a lot of things, composure and the way they relate to others so I learnt many things from them and if I get the chance on the matchday I will try to use my opportunity and if I use it well maybe it will make the coaching crew call me next time.”
Suleiman was discovered in the Right2win academy in Abuja, from which he joined the Slavia Prague in 2025.
He Quickly stood out with the Slavia youth teams,[3] most notably scoring five goals in three UEFA Youth League games,[2] impressing against the likes of Arsenal and Benfica.
Also, he had started playing with Slavia’s Czech National Football League reserve team, before being added to the first team in early 2026.
Suleiman made his professional debut with Slavia Prague on 8 February 2026, scoring on his debut in a 4–0 Czech First League win over Mladá Boleslav.
He kept on featuring and scoring as they eventually won the 2025–26 First League, their 9th national Czech league title.
By James Agberebi
