Nigeria Players Abroad
Molde Hero Daniel Daga Opens Up After Emotional Return
Former Nigeria U20 midfielder Daniel Daga marked his return to competitive action in unforgettable fashion, scoring his first goal since rejoining Molde’s first-team squad as the Norwegian club came from behind to beat KFUM 4-2 in an entertaining Eliteserien clash.
The 19-year-old Nigerian midfielder produced one of the game’s most emotional moments, finding the back of the net before breaking down in tears as he celebrated a goal that capped a difficult journey back to football after months away from the team.
For Daga, the strike represented far more than just another goal. It was the culmination of a challenging period that tested both his resilience and determination, making Sunday’s performance one of the most significant moments of his young career.
Molde fell behind early in the contest but responded positively, with Daga restoring parity after reacting quickest to a rebound when a teammate’s effort crashed against the crossbar.
The Nigerian showed excellent awareness inside the penalty area, pouncing on the loose ball to fire home and ignite Molde’s comeback.
Immediately after scoring, Daga collapsed onto the artificial turf, pulling his jersey over his face as emotions overwhelmed him before teammates rushed to celebrate the important goal.
Speaking after the match, the former Nigeria U-20 international admitted the goal carried deep personal significance following his lengthy absence from competitive football.
“It’s been a long time since I played, it was a big moment for me. I’m grateful to God, it was a very emotional moment for me,” Daga told TV2.
The midfielder’s emotional return comes after a turbulent period in which he was unavailable for selection while dealing with legal proceedings.
Earlier this month, Daga was acquitted by the Court of Appeal after an earlier conviction, clearing the way for his return to football.
Following the judgment, his lawyer, John Christian Elden, revealed the teenager was relieved by the verdict and eager to focus entirely on rebuilding his career with the Norwegian side.
Since then, Daga has returned to full training and steadily worked his way back into Molde’s plans, with Sunday’s goal serving as a major milestone in his comeback.
Molde went on to complete an impressive turnaround, with Emil Breivik, Martin Linnes and Samukele Kabini all getting on the scoresheet to seal a convincing 4-2 victory.
The result lifted Molde to fifth place in the Norwegian Eliteserien standings and provided further encouragement as they continue their push for a strong finish to the season.
For Daga, however, the afternoon will be remembered less for the three points and more for a deeply personal triumph, a reminder of his talent, resilience and determination to rebuild his career after one of the toughest periods of his young life.
