Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has insisted Nigeria’s priority in this evening’s international friendly against Poland’s White-Reds is simple: they must win, with the match taking place at PGE Narodowy Stadium in Warsaw.
Speaking from the team’s base at the Warsaw Presidential Hotel on Tuesday, Chelle welcomed defender Calvin Bassey into camp, taking the available squad to 20 players. The Fulham centre-back’s inclusion gives the manager a sizeable tactical boost, allowing him to field a more evenly balanced group across every area of the pitch.
“Now we have a team, and we are preparing to go out there and win,” Chelle said. “Winning is the mentality we are trying to create — in the team, in the players.”
The Franco-Malian coach added: “We will go for a win on Wednesday.”
Bassey’s arrival strengthens Nigeria’s options at the heart of the defence, where he could pair with the motivated Semi Ajayi. Igoh Ogbu and Emmanuel Fernandez also remain credible choices for the back line, while the left-back berth is set to be contested between FC Porto’s Zaidu Sanusi and Bruno Onyemaechi.
Training momentum also rose with the news that striker Paul Onuachu has been named the Turkish Süper Lig Goal of the Season winner. Onuachu had been in sharp form during Monday’s session and is expected to spearhead an attack featuring Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Rafiu Durosinmi, Terem Moffi and Germany-based Philip Otele, who is expected to arrive late Tuesday night after an impressive run at the London Unity Cup.
Between the posts, Maduka Okoye impressed during training after linking up on Monday, joining Cyprus-based Francis Uzoho and Arthur Okonkwo. Okonkwo, who recorded back-to-back clean sheets during Nigeria’s trophy-winning stretch in London, sets up what looks likely to be a competitive goalkeeper battle.
In midfield and the engine room, Chelle has Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Tochukwu Nnadi, Raphael Onyedika and rising youngster Abdullahi Bewene available as he weighs his options for the friendly.
Chelle is also expecting Poland to test squad depth in a similar manner to how his counterpart Jan Urban used multiple debutants in Sunday’s match against Ukraine. While Poland’s plans may include in-form wide attacker Jakub Kamiński and a younger group featuring Oskar Pietuszewski and Mateusz Żukowski, Chelle stressed that Nigeria’s focus will remain on carrying out their game plan effectively.
Squad list for Nigeria
- Goalkeepers: Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Arthur Okonkwo (Wrexham FC, England); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus)
- Defenders: Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Emmanuel Fernandez (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)
- Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Frank Onyeka (Coventry FC, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Tochukwu Nnadi (Olympic Marseille, France); Abdullahi Ibrahim Bewene (Baník Ostrava, Czech Republic)
- Forwards: Moses Simon (Paris FC, France); Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor AS, Turkey); Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain); Rafiu Durosinmi (Pisa FC, Italy); Terem Moffi (FC Porto, Portugal); Philip Otele (Hamburger SV, Germany)
