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Remo Stars goalkeeper Kayode Bankole and Niger Tornadoes midfielder Papa Daniel Mustapha have shared their excitement after making the final Super Eagles squad for this month’s crucial World Cup qualifiers, Footynaija.com reports.
Despite being second-choice at Remo Stars, behind Benin Republic international Serge Obassa, Bankole was surprisingly named in Eric Chelle’s initial 39-man provisional squad for the qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
Even more unexpectedly, the young goalkeeper made the final 23-man squad, edging out Udinese’s Maduka Okoye and Cyprus-based Adebayo Adeleye.
Grateful for the opportunity, Bankole vowed to work hard and help Nigeria secure a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“I’m more than excited and honoured to have gotten my first call-up to the Super Eagles team ahead of the World Cup qualifiers. Thanks to everyone for the support. Now, let’s get to work. It’s time to get the World Cup ticket for our fatherland,” he wrote on Twitter.
I’m more than excited and honoured to have gotten my first call up to the Super Eagles team ahead of the World Cup qualifiers.
— Bankole Kayode (@Kaybaba35) March 12, 2025
Thanks to everyone for the support.
Now, let’s get to work. It’s time to get the World Cup ticket for our fatherland pic.twitter.com/odGQMNho6G
Papa Daniel’s surprise inclusion
Another unexpected name in Chelle’s final squad is Papa Daniel Mustapha, the Niger Tornadoes midfield dynamo.
Papa Daniel played a crucial role in helping the Super Eagles B defeat Ghana over two legs in December, securing a spot at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) later this year.
However, many expected him to be overlooked for more established names like Lazio’s Fisayo Dele-Bashiru or Augsburg’s Frank Onyeka.
Chelle, however, saw enough in Papa Daniel to hand him his first senior Super Eagles call-up.
Overjoyed by the selection, Papa Daniel took to Twitter to express his gratitude:
“This is the stuff dreams are made of. I got called up to represent my Nation. I can’t describe the emotions.”
This is the stuff dreams are made of.
— Papaa Daniel (@Papaa_Mustapha) March 11, 2025
I got called up to represent my Nation. I can’t describe the emotions https://t.co/7ibxIK3fpT
He added:
“Honored to receive a Super Eagles invitation to represent this beautiful nation at the qualifiers for the next edition of the FIFA World Cup with the senior team. Thankful to my teammates and coaches and grateful for the good messages I’m still getting. God Bless Nigeria.”
Honored to receive a @NGSuperEagles invitation to represent this beautiful nation at the qualifiers for The Next edition of the FIFA World Cup with the senior team.
— Papaa Daniel (@Papaa_Mustapha) March 11, 2025
Thankful to my teammates and coaches and grateful for the good messages I’m still getting.
God Bless Nigeria pic.twitter.com/4x29lPmKKJ
The Super Eagles will face Rwanda’s Wasps in Kigali on March 21st, before returning to Nigerian soil to take on Zimbabwe’s Warriors four days later.
