Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey has expressed his frustration after Nigeria allowed victory to slip away in dramatic fashion against Poland, admitting that the team had more than enough quality to secure a memorable win in Warsaw.

The international friendly appeared destined to end in Nigeria’s favour before a heartbreaking stoppage-time equaliser denied Eric Chelle’s men a valuable away victory in front of a packed crowd at the PGE Narodowy Stadium.

The thrilling encounter ended 2-2, but for Bassey and his teammates, the result felt more like a defeat than a draw after twice taking the lead and failing to hold on.

Nigeria started brightly and deservedly went ahead in the 23rd minute through Terem Moffi, whose composed finish rewarded the Super Eagles’ positive attacking approach. However, just as the visitors seemed set to take a lead into halftime, Poland struck deep into first-half stoppage time through Kacper Potulski, silencing the Nigerian bench and levelling the score at 1-1.

Seeking fresh energy and tactical adjustments, head coach Eric Chelle made sweeping changes at the interval, introducing seven players, including Fulham star Calvin Bassey. The substitutions helped inject new life into the team, with Nigeria regaining control of large portions of the second half.

The breakthrough eventually came in the 80th minute when VAR identified a handball inside the Polish penalty area. Veteran striker Paul Onuachu stepped up confidently and converted from the spot, restoring Nigeria’s lead and putting the Super Eagles within touching distance of a statement victory.

With the clock ticking down and more than 54,000 spectators watching, Nigeria looked set to celebrate an impressive result on foreign soil. But football can be cruel.

Just moments before the final whistle, Poland’s Przemysław Wiśniewski unleashed a stunning long-range effort from approximately 25 yards that flew beyond the goalkeeper and into the net. The dramatic equaliser sparked celebrations among the home supporters and left the Nigerian players visibly disappointed.

Speaking after the match, Bassey did not hide his feelings about the outcome.

“We should have got the win. Conceding late goals in both halves shows there are things we need to improve and adjust. It is disappointing because we were in a strong position to take the victory,” he said.

Despite the frustration, the defender acknowledged that the circumstances surrounding the camp played a role in the team’s performance. Several players arrived at different times ahead of the fixture, limiting the amount of preparation available to the coaching staff.

According to Bassey, the disrupted build-up made it difficult for the squad to fully settle before the game.

“A lot of us arrived at different times, and some players only joined camp shortly before the match. Considering that, it was important to get minutes on the pitch and continue building chemistry as a group,” he explained.

While the result may sting, the Fulham defender believes there were numerous positives to take from the encounter. Several players earned valuable opportunities to impress, with a number of newcomers making their senior international debuts as Chelle continued evaluating options for the future.

The coach used the match as part of his long-term preparations for upcoming competitions, including the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. The friendly offered a chance to test emerging talents and assess squad depth against quality opposition.

Bassey praised the team’s overall effort and highlighted the importance of integrating fresh faces into the national setup.

“There were definitely positives. We’re trying to improve with every game. We had a lot of changes, several new players, and some boys who weren’t part of previous squads. It was a great opportunity for them to experience international football and for the coach to see what they can offer.”

Despite surrendering victory late on, Nigeria extended Eric Chelle’s impressive unbeaten run in regulation time to 23 matches, a statistic that underlines the progress being made under his leadership.

Attention now shifts to the Super Eagles’ next major test, a high-profile friendly against Portugal in Leiria on June 10. With lessons learned from Warsaw and several players eager to impress, Nigeria will be determined to turn a frustrating draw into a stronger performance against one of Europe’s football powerhouses.

For Bassey and his teammates, the message is clear: the potential is there, but eliminating costly lapses in concentration could be the difference between disappointment and victory as the team continues its journey toward future success.