The Super Eagles of Nigeria were held to a 2-2 draw by Poland in an international friendly match played on Wednesday night at the PGE Narodowy Stadium in Warsaw, in a game that swung dramatically from end to end and ended in stoppage-time heartbreak for Eric Chelle’s side.
Following their successful Unity Cup triumph in London, Chelle named a strong squad for the encounter, blending established internationals with returning players and a few fresh faces. Maduka Okoye started in goal, with Igoh Ogbu retaining his place in defence alongside Emmanuel Fernandez, Bruno Onyemaechi and debutant Abdullahi Bewene. In midfield, captain Wilfred Ndidi partnered Tochukwu Nnadi, while the attack featured Moses Simon, Terem Moffi and Akor Adams.
Nigeria began the match brightly, absorbing early Polish pressure before growing into control with confident passing and attacking combinations. The hosts had threatened first, with Jakub Kamiński heading wide in the opening minutes, but it was the Super Eagles who settled quicker and began dictating the tempo.
Their pressure paid off in the 23rd minute when Moses Simon delivered a low cross into the box, which Terem Moffi calmly converted to give Nigeria a deserved lead. It was Moffi’s second goal in as many matches, continuing his strong run of form for the national team. Nigeria pushed for a second soon after, with Nnadi forcing a solid save from the Polish goalkeeper as they looked to extend their advantage.
However, Poland responded in stoppage time of the first half, capitalising on a poorly defended corner as Kacper Potulski found the equaliser to send both teams into the break level at 1-1.
At halftime, Chelle made seven changes, introducing Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Zaidu Sanusi, Raphael Onyedika, Rafiu Durosinmi, Philip Otele and Paul Onuachu, significantly reshaping the team’s structure. While the substitutions added fresh legs, they also disrupted Nigeria’s early rhythm, and the second half became more fragmented compared to the controlled opening period.
Despite this, the Super Eagles still created chances, with Onuachu and Onyedika both coming close to restoring the lead. At the other end, Maduka Okoye produced a crucial save to deny Robert Lewandowski after a defensive error, keeping Nigeria level in a tense phase of the match.
Nigeria eventually regained the lead in the 77th minute after being awarded a penalty, which Paul Onuachu confidently converted to make it 2-1. The Super Eagles then came under intense late pressure, with Okoye producing a double save to preserve the advantage as Poland pushed forward desperately.
However, in cruel fashion, the hosts found a last-gasp equaliser with the final kick of the game, as Przemysław Wiśniewski unleashed an unstoppable strike to make it 2-2 and deny Nigeria victory.
The result leaves Nigeria with positives from their attacking play and squad depth, but also disappointment at their inability to close out the game. The Super Eagles will now travel to Portugal for their next friendly, where they will face the 2016 European champions as preparations for upcoming international fixtures continue.
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