Terem Moffi and Paul Onuachu scored as the Super Eagles earned a thrilling 2-2 draw against Poland in an international friendly in Warsaw on Wednesday night.
The Super Eagles also maintained their unbeaten record against the Polish side at senior level following another competitive encounter at the 58,000-capacity Stadion PGE Narodowy.
Poland started brightly in front of more than 54,000 home supporters, with Jakub Kaminski heading narrowly wide in the fourth minute as the hosts searched for an early breakthrough.
Led by experienced striker Robert Lewandowski, the White-Reds continued to press forward, but it was Nigeria who opened the scoring midway through the first half.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi started the move with a precise pass to Moses Simon, who squared the ball for Moffi to tap home in the 23rd minute. Although the effort was initially ruled out, the Video Assistant Referee later awarded the goal.
Maduka Okoye produced an important save to deny Karol Swiderski in the 28th minute, while defender Igoh Ogbu also made a crucial intervention late in the first half as Poland pushed for an equaliser.
Nigeria nearly doubled their lead before the break, but Tochukwu Nnadi saw his angled effort saved by goalkeeper Kamil Grabara.
Poland eventually levelled in first-half stoppage time when Kacper Potulski reacted quickest during a crowded goalmouth situation to slide the ball past Okoye.
The Eric Chelle-led Super Eagles resumed strongly after the interval, with debutant Abdullahi Bewene impressing in midfield during a confident performance.
Nigeria regained the lead in the 76th minute after VAR awarded the visitors a penalty, which Onuachu converted calmly from the spot.
Poland thought they had equalised again late in the match, but Okoye produced another important save to preserve Nigeria’s advantage.
However, with just minutes remaining, Przemyslaw Wiśniewski struck from long range to rescue a draw for the hosts and ensure honours were shared in Warsaw.
The result means Nigeria remain unbeaten against Poland in senior international football, having defeated the Polish side 1-0 in their previous meeting in 2018.
Next up for the Super Eagles is another international friendly against Portugal in Leiria next Wednesday. The match is Portugal’s final game before their participation in this year’s FIFA World Cup finals.
