Newz.Scores 2 goals in 2 games after acquittal for rape By Douglas Baye-Osagie Three years ago, Daniel Daga was Nigeria’s next big thing. A defensive midfielder in the Sunday Oliseh mould — strong, intelligent, with delicate long-range passing and an eye for goal. At 17 he was an Enyimba Football Club mainstay, playing for Nigeria’s most successful club.
He then played for the Flying Eagles at back-to-back U20 FIFA World Cups in 2023 and 2025. At 18 he made the move every Nigerian boy dreams of — Europe — signing for Norway’s Molde FK. Suddenly, a few months after arriving in Europe, news of a rape allegation hit the internet.
“This can’t be true,” some of us screamed. In December 2025, Molde removed him from training and matchday activities after he was formally charged over an alleged sexual offence involving an unnamed woman. The case reportedly dated back to April 2025.
It echoed what happened to another young Nigerian, Akinkunmi Amoo, who was accused and later convicted of rape in Denmark while playing for FC Copenhagen. Everyone following Daga’s career prayed for justice — we did not want to see a bright future derailed. In March 2026, a Norwegian district court convicted Daga and sentenced him to six months in prison for a sexual act without consent.
Daga maintained his innocence, with his lawyer arguing the encounter was consensual, and an appeal was filed. Molde kept him out of the squad while the legal process continued. The case took a decisive turn in July.
Norway’s Frostating Court of Appeal unanimously acquitted Daga, overturning the earlier conviction. Molde subsequently confirmed that the midfielder was again available for selection. He marked his comeback against KFUM with an emotional goal, then scored again against Sarpsborg — a powerful reminder of his ability after an extremely challenging period.
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