Captain Wilfred Ndidi led the Super Eagles‘ first training session in Warsaw on Monday evening, as Nigeria stepped up preparations for Wednesday’s high-profile international friendly against Poland.
key points:
- Wilfred Ndidi led Nigeria’s first training session in Warsaw ahead of the friendly against Poland.
- Coach Eric Chelle had 18 players in camp as preparations intensified for Wednesday’s match.
- The game will be the second-ever senior meeting between Nigeria and Poland, with the Super Eagles winning the first encounter in 2018.
- Nigeria enters the match unbeaten in five games after recently winning the Unity Cup.
- Chelle said the team is focused on building a winning culture and remains determined to defeat Poland.
A total of 18 players had arrived at the team’s camp in the Polish capital as head coach Eric Chelle began fine-tuning his squad for the encounter at the 58,000-capacity Stadion PGE Narodowy.
The match marks only the second-ever senior international meeting between Nigeria and Poland.
Their first clash came on March 23, 2018, when the Super Eagles secured a memorable 1-0 victory over the White-Reds in Wroclaw, courtesy of a Victor Moses penalty as both teams prepared for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
With both nations narrowly missing out on qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Wednesday’s fixture presents an opportunity to rebuild momentum and continue developing their squads ahead of future competitions.
Poland’s hopes of reaching the global showpiece ended after a 3-2 defeat to Sweden in the European playoffs despite overcoming Albania in an earlier qualifying fixture.
Nigeria also fell at the final hurdle after defeating Gabon before losing to DR Congo in the African playoff final via penalty shootout.
The Super Eagles camp at the Warsaw Presidential Hotel welcomed several key players ahead of the opening training session.
Among those present were 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, fresh from helping Hull City secure promotion back to the English Premier League, arrived later alongside new invitee Abdullahi Bewene. Both players received warm welcomes from teammates but did not participate in Monday’s training session.
Fresh from guiding Nigeria to another Unity Cup triumph in London, Chelle expressed confidence in his team’s ability to maintain its recent positive momentum.
The Franco-Malian tactician said the coaching crew is working to establish a winning culture within the squad despite the challenges associated with assembling players after the end of the club season.
“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.
“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.”
The Super Eagles trained for 80 minutes under light rain at Stadion Polonii Warszawa, with the coaching crew focusing on tactical drills and fitness exercises ahead of the encounter.
Nigeria’s official pre-match training session is scheduled for Tuesday at the Stadion PGE Narodowy, the venue for Wednesday’s showdown.
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- Super Eagles defeat Jamaica 3-0 to retain Unity Cup
The Super Eagles head into the game in impressive form, having gone unbeaten in their last five matches.
Nigeria claimed third place at the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations after defeating Egypt in a penalty shootout following a goalless draw, before recording friendly victories over Iran and earning a draw against Jordan.
More recently, Chelle’s side lifted the Unity Cup after defeating Zimbabwe 2-0 and thrashing Jamaica 3-0 in the final.
Poland, meanwhile, have endured mixed results in recent outings.
The White-Reds drew with the Netherlands, defeated Malta and Albania, but suffered defeats to Sweden in the World Cup playoffs and Ukraine in a recent international friendly.
With both sides eager to test new combinations and build momentum for future campaigns, Wednesday’s clash in Warsaw promises to be a competitive encounter between two ambitious football nations seeking a return to major international tournaments.
