Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi led Nigeria’s first training session in Warsaw on Monday evening as the three-time African champions intensified preparations for Wednesday’s international friendly against Poland.
Eighteen players have now arrived at the team’s camp in the Polish capital ahead of the potentially explosive encounter at the 58,000-capacity Stadion PGE Narodowy.
The friendly will mark only the second senior-level meeting between both countries. Nigeria defeated Poland 1-0 in their previous encounter in March 2018 in Wroclaw, with Victor Moses scoring the decisive goal during preparations for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Like Nigeria, Poland narrowly missed out on qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals. The White-Reds defeated Albania before losing 3-2 to Sweden in the Euro playoff final, while the Super Eagles overcame Gabon before falling to DR Congo on penalties in the African playoff final.
Players already in camp include captain Ndidi, goalkeepers Maduka Okoye, Francis Uzoho and Arthur Okonkwo, defenders Bruno Onyemaechi, Zaidu Sanusi, Emmanuel Fernandez and Igoh Ogbu, midfielders Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika and Tochukwu Nnadi, and forwards Moses Simon, Paul Onuachu, Jerome Akor Adams, Terem Moffi and Rafiu Durosinmi.
Defender Semi Ajayi and fresh invitee Abdullahi Bewene arrived later on Monday and received warm welcomes from teammates, although both players missed the evening training session.
Coach Eric Chelle, who recently guided Nigeria to retain the Unity Cup title in London, expressed confidence ahead of the Poland clash despite several players only recently returning from the off-season break.
“There is a culture of winning that we are trying to build in this team, and that mentality is important,” Chelle said.
“You can say that it is difficult to have games at this time because the players have been in holiday mood for about two weeks, but the job must be done.”
The Franco-Malian coach added that the squad would approach the match with a strong determination to continue building momentum.
“We have 18 players in camp now and we will work with that. Everybody must work hard and we will go into the match with the determination to win,” he added.
Chelle supervised an 80-minute training session under light rain at Stadion Polonii Warszawa, with the team expected to hold its official pre-match session at Stadion PGE Narodowy on Tuesday.
Nigeria’s clash against Poland forms part of the Super Eagles’ preparations for upcoming international competitions and offers Chelle another opportunity to assess both experienced stars and emerging players within the squad.
