Papa Daniel will be aiming to help NK Celje take a major step towards a historic UEFA Champions League qualification when they face Slovan Bratislava in the first leg of their play-off clash at the Národný futbalový štadión on Wednesday.
The Nigerian midfielder has played an important role in Celje’s impressive qualifying campaign, starting both legs of their second qualifying round tie against Egnatia before featuring from the start in the first leg against Ararat-Armenia in the third qualifying round.
Daniel missed the return leg against Ararat-Armenia through suspension after accumulating yellow cards, but Celje produced a remarkable comeback to book their place in the play-offs.
Having suffered a 2-1 defeat away from home in the first leg, the Slovenian side responded with two late goals to secure a 2-0 victory in the return fixture and advance with a 3-2 aggregate triumph.
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The victory moved Celje to within one tie of reaching the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history. Defeat to Slovan Bratislava would see them drop into the Europa League league phase, which would also represent a historic achievement as they have never previously qualified for the competition.
Standing in their way is a Slovan Bratislava side enjoying an excellent start under former Barcelona and Manchester City midfielder Yaya Touré, who recently began his first senior coaching role at the Slovakian club.
Touré has made an impressive start to life in the dugout, guiding Slovan to six victories and one draw in his opening seven matches.
The Slovakian champions cruised past Mjällby home and away in the third qualifying round, with Touré insisting after the second-leg victory that his players deserve the opportunity to compete in Europe’s elite competition.
“These players deserve to play in the Champions League because of the quality they have,” Touré said. “They should be playing in Europe.”
“Two games to go to qualify for the Champions League, and that’s what the club dreams about, and the players dream about and me and my staff dream about. It is the right time to face Celje. All of the team is on form. The team is looking excellent,” he added.
Celje, however, head into the crucial encounter in equally impressive form.
The club recorded their third consecutive victory in all competitions with a win away at Nafta Lendava on Saturday, maintaining their unbeaten start to the Slovenian top-flight season.
They remain the only unbeaten team in the league alongside leaders Maribor, who sit one point above Celje but have played a game more.
Celje head coach Vítor Campelos is confident his players are ready for the challenge and believes they can match their opponents.
“The players are ready. I know their enthusiasm, I know their heart, their character. We are facing a strong, quality opponent, but I trust my boys and believe that they are capable of playing a good match,” Campelos said.
“We are aware that Slovan Bratislava have a lot of individual quality that we will have to pay attention to, but we are also aware of our own qualities,” he added.
The first leg is scheduled for 8pm on Wednesday, with the decisive return fixture set to take place one week later. The winner on aggregate will secure a place in the 2026/27 Champions League league phase.
For Daniel, who featured for Celje in the UEFA Conference League last season, the play-off presents an opportunity to take another major step in his European career.
The Nigerian will be hoping to play his part as Celje chase a place among Europe’s elite and attempt to make club history by reaching the Champions League for the first time.
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