Super Eagles head coach \u00c9ric Chelle has urged his squad to shake off off-season sluggishness and keep an uncompromising \u201cwinning mentality\u201d as they prepare for a major international friendly against Poland tomorrow.<\/p>\n
The Franco-Malian manager, coming off a successful Unity Cup title defence in London on Saturday, put 16 of his available players through an 80-minute session in wet conditions at Stadion Polonii Warszawa on Monday night. Chelle sees the trip to the 58,000-capacity Stadion PGE Narodowy as a key indicator of how mentally tough his side can be when it matters.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a culture of winning that we are trying to build in this team, and that mentality is important,\u201d Chelle said after the workout. \u201cYou can say it is difficult to have games at this time because the players have been in holiday mode for about two weeks, but the job must be done.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chelle\u2019s immediate task is to guide a transitional group as Nigeria looks to rebuild following the disappointment of missing out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Super Eagles were edged out in a penalty shootout by DR Congo. Poland\u2019s own campaign ended in a similar manner, with the European play-off final against Sweden also going to penalties, and Thursday\u2019s friendly is therefore viewed as a significant reset point for both coaches.<\/p>\n
Even with squad constraints, Chelle did not look for excuses. Semi Ajayi and debutant Abdullahi Bewene were not involved in Monday\u2019s session due to late arrival issues, but the head coach made it clear his preparation will continue regardless of the circumstances.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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,\u201d Chelle added.<\/p>\n
Preparations are expected to intensify again later today, with Chelle set to lead the Super Eagles for their official training session one day before kick-off at Stadion PGE Narodowy.<\/p>\n
With an attacking line featuring Paul Onuachu and Terem Moffi, Chelle will be targeting an extension of Nigeria\u2019s current run of four matches unbeaten. He will also aim to test a Polish team that were beaten 2-0 by Ukraine on Sunday.<\/p>\n
In terms of squad availability, Lazio forward Fisayo Dele-Bashiru increased the contingent in Warsaw to 19 after he arrived late on Monday night.<\/p>\n
Super Eagles head coach \u00c9ric Chelle has urged his squad to shake off off-season sluggishness and keep an uncompromising \u201cwinning mentality\u201d as they prepare for a major international friendly against Poland tomorrow. The Franco-Malian manager, coming off a successful Unity Cup title defence in London on Saturday, put 16 of his available players through an […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1359,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"Super Eagles vs Poland Friendly: Chelle Winning Mindset","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Super Eagles coach \u00c9ric Chelle demands a ruthless winning mindset as Nigeria prepare for a friendly vs Poland at Stadion Polonii W","mma_seo_breadcrumb_text":"","mma_seo_breadcrumb_url":"","mma_seo_breadcrumb_hide_ui":"","mma_seo_breadcrumb_labels":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1360","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","","category-sports"],"yoast_head":"\n