Czech-based teenager Suleiman Mubarak has linked up with the Super Eagles in Uyo as the national team hit full camp strength ahead of Friday's 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania.
The 19-year-old Slavia Prague midfielder arrived on Wednesday and took part in his very first training session with the senior squad. According to Punch, head coach Eric Chelle initially planned to invite the youngster to the Nigeria U-23 team for their upcoming qualifiers against DR Congo. However, scouts sent glowing reports about his performances in Europe, convincing Chelle to fast-track him into the senior national team.
Mubarak was originally discovered at Abuja-based Right2Win Academy before making the switch to Slavia Prague in 2025. He first caught the eye in the UEFA Youth League, finding the net five times in six games against top European academies. Following a brief spell with Slavia's reserve side, he earned a promotion to the senior team early in 2026.
The midfielder enjoyed a dream debut on February 7, 2026, scoring as a substitute in Slavia’s 4-0 league win over Mladá Boleslav. He helped the Czech giants secure the 2025/26 Czech First League title and later signed a new deal keeping him at the club until June 30, 2031.
This season, Mubarak has taken his game to another level, delivering five goals and three assists in 13 matches across all competitions. That run includes three goals and three assists in nine league games, two goals in the Czech Cup, and three appearances in the UEFA Champions League.
On October 20, he earned a starting spot and played 85 minutes in Slavia's 2-2 Champions League draw with Fenerbahçe. The outing made him the first Nigerian teenager to start a Champions League fixture since Alex Iwobi featured for Arsenal against Barcelona in March 2016. He enters the national team camp fresh off creating an assist in Slavia’s 4-1 victory over Artis Brno last weekend.
