Former Niger Tornadoes F.C. midfielder Papa Daniel has celebrated the first major trophy of his European career after helping NK Celje secure the Slovenian PrvaLiga Telemach title.
NK Celje were officially crowned champions of Slovenia despite suffering a home defeat to FC Koper, as the club had already established an unassailable lead at the top of the league table with one match still left to play.
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The title triumph capped off a dominant campaign for Celje, who maintained consistency throughout the season to finish comfortably ahead of their closest rivals in the Slovenian top flight.
For Papa Daniel, the achievement represents a major milestone in his professional career and his first league championship since making the move from Nigeria to Europe.
The Nigerian midfielder reportedly expressed excitement and pride after the title confirmation, describing the success as a special moment in his football journey with the “Grofje.”
Since arriving in Slovenia, Papa Daniel has continued to adapt to European football while contributing to the club’s strong performances during the title-winning campaign.
Winning the championship also means NK Celje are expected to represent Slovenia in next season’s UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds, offering the Nigerian another opportunity to compete on a bigger European stage.
Before shifting focus to continental football preparations, Celje will conclude their league season next week with a final fixture against NK Primorje.
The title success further adds to the growing number of Nigerian footballers making their mark across Europe, with Papa Daniel now joining the list of players who have secured domestic league honours abroad.
For the former Niger Tornadoes star, lifting the Slovenian league trophy could serve as the beginning of even greater achievements in European football as he continues to develop and gain experience at the highest level.
