THE Super Eagles of Nigeria began preparation for their friendly matches against Poland and Portugal yesterday with 19 players gathered in Warsaw.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi led 15 other players in a first training session in the capital city of Poland in the evening as the three-time African champions seek to continue their winning streak after victories over Zimbabwe and Jamaica in the Unity Cup in May.
Tomorrow’s clash against Poland at the 58,000 -capacity Stadion PGE Narodowy is only the second meeting between the two countries at senior level.
On March 23, 2018, as part of their tune-up games for the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals, the Super Eagles defeated hosts Poland 1-0 at the Stadion Miejski we Wroclawiu in the city of Wroclaw, with Victor Moses the scorer on the night.
Like the Super Eagles, Poland failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. After beating Albania, the Poland lost 3-2 to Sweden in the European play-offs final. On their part, the Super Eagles defeated Gabon before losing to DR Congo after a penalty shootout in the African play-offs final.
The players at the Super Eagles’ Warsaw Presidential Hotel as at last night included captain Ndidi, goalkeepers Maduka Okoye, Francis Uzoho and Arthur Okonkwo, as well as defenders Bruno Onyemaechi, Zaidu Sanusi, Emmanuel Fernandez and Igoh Ogbu.
Midfielders Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Tochukwu Nnadi, and forwards Moses Simon, Paul Onuachu, Jerome Akor Adams, Terem Moffi and Rafiu Durosinmi are also in Warsaw.
Defender Semi Ajayi, whose Hull City recently won promotion back to the English Premier League, arrived after lunch to warm hugs and fist-pumping by team mates. So did fresh invitee Abdullahi Bewene. Both of them were not part of the training session.
Coach Eric Chelle, fresh from leading the Eagles to retain the Unity Cup in London, is looking forward to Wednesday’s game with optimism.
“There is a culture of winning that we are trying to build in this team, and that mentality is important,” he 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.
“We have 19 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.”
Key Super Eagles stars Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman have been ruled out of the friendlies due to club-related issues.
SUPER EAGLES IN WARSAW:
Maduka Okoye
Francis Uzoho
Arthur Okonkwo
Moses Simon
Wilfred Ndidi
Akor Adams
Terem Moffi
Tochukwu Nnadi
Emmanuel Fernandez
Semi Ajayi
Rafiu Durosinmi
Paul Onuachu
Zaidu Sanusi
Igho Ogbu
Raphael Onyedika
Frank Onyeka
Bruno Onyemaechi
Abdullahi Ibrahim
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru
