Captain Wilfred Ndidi led 15 other players in the Super Eagles’ first training session in Warsaw, Poland, on Monday evening as the three-time African champions began preparations for Wednesday’s international friendly against the Polish national team.
The match, scheduled to take place at the 58,000-capacity Stadion PGE Narodowy, will mark only the second senior-level meeting between Nigeria and Poland. The two sides previously met on March 23, 2018, when Nigeria secured a 1-0 victory in a World Cup warm-up match in Wroclaw, courtesy of a goal from Victor Moses.
Both teams narrowly missed out on qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Poland defeated Albania before suffering a 3-2 loss to Sweden in the European playoff final, while Nigeria overcame Gabon but fell to DR Congo in a penalty shootout in the African playoff final.
Players present in camp as of Monday afternoon included 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, whose Hull City recently secured promotion to the English Premier League, arrived later in the day and received a warm welcome from teammates. Fresh invitee Abdullahi Bewene also joined the camp after lunch. Both players did not participate in Monday’s training session.
Head coach Eric Chelle, who recently guided the Super Eagles to a successful Unity Cup title defence in London, expressed confidence ahead of the encounter.
“We are trying to build a winning culture within this team, and that mentality is very important,” Chelle said. “Some may argue that it is difficult to play matches at this time because many players have been in holiday mode for a couple of weeks, but the job must be done. We have 18 players in camp now and we will continue working with those available. Everyone must work hard, and we will approach the match with the determination to win”, Chelle added.
Chelle put his players through an 80-minute training session under light rain at the Stadion Polonii Warszawa. The team’s official pre-match training session will take place on Tuesday at the match venue, Stadion PGE Narodowy.
