Papa Daniel snubs Ndidi, Iwobi, names two Super Eagles AFCON 2013 heroes as most-preferred midfield partners

Super Eagles new boy Papa Daniel Mustapha has revealed that he would prefer Mikel Obi and Ogenyi Onazi as his midfield partners if he had the liberty to choose from present and past Nigeria internationals, Soccernet.ng reports.

This is the second time Daniel has been invited to the first team of the Super Eagles for the four-nation Unity Cup.

Recall that Eric Chelle named him in the squad for the last pair of World Cup Qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe, but he did not get minutes.

Nonetheless, the 23-year-old is still happy about being on the team with the rest of the players.

“I'll say I'm grateful, I'm just doing my thing. Me receiving my second call-up, I'm very happy, and I'm ready to do my best,” Daniel told Soccernet.ng.

However, going into Nigeria's game against Ghana in the Unity Cup on Wednesday, Daniel will likely get minutes.

Papa Daniel speaks on second straight call-up, names two #SuperEagles AFCON 2013 heroes as his preferred midfield partners. #UnityCup2025 pic.twitter.com/1uVNDxK2a0

— Soccernet.ng (@soccernet_ng) May 28, 2025

Ahead of the game, Soccernet.ng asked the Niger Tornadoes star which past or present Super Eagles midfielders he would love to partner with in a 4-3-3 formation, and he went for two retired players.

“Let me say Mikel Obi and Ogenyi Onazi,” Daniel added.

The two former midfielders played pivotal roles in the run-up to the Super Eagles' trophy finish at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

Super Eagles: Papa Daniel Eye More Minutes

Papa Daniel is one of the few players on the Unity Cup squad and also the squad that will take on Russia on June 6. This means that Eric Chelle has seen something unique in him, and he will soon get minutes.

If he gets a chance, he has to embrace it and shine so he wins the heart of the coach. By the next set of games, he can even fancy himself getting a starting shirt.