18 Players Arrive in Warsaw for Super Eagles’ Friendly with Poland

Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi led 15 other players in their first training session in Warsaw on Monday evening as the three‑time African champions began preparations for Wednesday’s friendly against Poland.

The match, set for the 58,000‑seat Stadion PGE Narodowy, will be only the second senior‑level encounter between the two nations.

On 23 March 2018, during their 2018 FIFA World Cup warm‑ups, Nigeria beat hosts Poland 1‑0 at the Stadion Miejski we Wroclawiu in Wrocław, with Victor Moses scoring the lone goal.

Both teams missed out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Poland, after defeating Albania, fell 2‑3 to Sweden in the Euro playoff final. Nigeria beat Gabon but lost to DR Congo on penalties in the African playoff final.

18 Players In Camp

At the Super Eagles’ Warsaw Presidential Hotel lunch on Monday, the squad included 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, whose Hull City FC recently earned promotion to the English Premiership, arrived after lunch to receive hugs and fist‑pumps from teammates. Fresh invitee Abdullahi Bewene also joined, but neither participated in Monday’s session.

Super Eagles In Buoyant Mood

Coach Eric Chelle, who just led the Eagles to retain the Unity Cup in London, expressed optimism about the upcoming match.

“There is a culture of winning that we are trying to build in this team, and that mentality is important. 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,” Chelle said. “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 coach drilled the squad for 80 minutes under light rain at the Stadion Polinii Warsawa. Tuesday’s official training session will take place at the match venue – Stadion PGE Narodowy.