Mubarak Suleiman: Slavia Prague star opens up on emotional Super Eagles call-up after missing U17 chance

Slavia Prague midfielder Mubarak Suleiman has described his first Super Eagles invitation as a dream come true after years of waiting for an opportunity to represent Nigeria at senior level.

The youngster is part of head coach Éric Chelle’s squad preparing for Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against Tanzania at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday.

For Suleiman, the invitation represents a significant breakthrough after an earlier disappointment with Nigeria’s youth national team and an unsuccessful attempt to make his senior debut in October.

The midfielder had previously been considered for Nigeria’s international friendly against Russia but missed out because of a residence permit issue.

His latest invitation has finally opened the door to senior international football, with the 2021 U17 trial disappointment now firmly behind him.

Speaking to the Nigeria Football Federation’s media team, the 21-year-old expressed his delight at joining the national team and admitted that he had not expected to receive the opportunity so soon.

“So, I think I’m happy to be among them. My first training session was good, and I think I learned many things from them. It was something that I had been dreaming of. In 2021, I was in the U17 national team. I went for a trial, but it did not work out for me,” he said.

Suleiman explained that although he remained hopeful of representing Nigeria in the future, he was surprised when the opportunity came directly through the senior national team.

“So, I hoped that maybe another opportunity would come, and when I got the call-up to the senior team, I was so surprised. I knew my form in the team was okay, so I hoped that maybe an opportunity would come, but I didn’t think it would come from the senior team. When I got the call-up, I was so happy,” he added.

Suleiman surprised by Super Eagles reception

Beyond securing his first senior invitation, Suleiman has been impressed by the atmosphere within the Super Eagles camp.

The Slavia Prague midfielder admitted that he initially expected some of Nigeria’s established internationals to be less approachable because of their status in the game.

However, he has been pleasantly surprised by the reception from his new teammates, describing their friendliness as something he did not anticipate.

“I’m happy to be here, and since I arrived, everybody has been friendly. I didn’t even expect this from them. I thought some of them might give me attitude because they are big players,” he said.

The youngster believes his first training session has already provided valuable lessons, particularly in composure and how experienced players conduct themselves around their teammates.

He is now eager to translate those lessons into a strong performance should Chelle hand him an opportunity against Tanzania.

“I think I learned a lot of things, including composure and the way they relate to others. I learned many things from them, although I cannot remember everything. If I get the chance on matchday, of course, I will try to make the most of my opportunities. If I use my chances well, that will encourage the coach and the staff to call me up again,” he concluded.

Impressive Slavia Prague form earns Suleiman Nigeria opportunity

Suleiman’s maiden Super Eagles invitation follows an impressive run of performances for Slavia Prague, where he has recently demonstrated his attacking qualities.

He scored twice in a 4-0 Czech Cup victory over Zbrojovka Brno on October 27 before producing another brace and an assist in a 5-0 league triumph against Jablonec four days later.

His performances earned him a starting place against Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League on November 4, although he was withdrawn at half-time during Slavia Prague’s 2-1 defeat.

The midfielder’s rapid progress has now earned him an opportunity to showcase his abilities on the international stage.

Suleiman also revealed that his invitation generated excitement among his family, friends and people from his village, with his mother’s emotional reaction particularly memorable.

“Let me start with my family. They are so excited about it. My mother was so emotional; she did not even expect that this kind of opportunity would happen. She was happy, and my father was also happy. My friends, of course, are happy, even the people in my village. Everybody is happy, including me, about my first training session with the team,” he revealed.

Having waited several years for this opportunity, Suleiman will now hope to make a strong impression on Chelle and establish himself as a future option for the Super Eagles.