Nigeria stretched Eric Chelle’s unbeaten run as Super Eagles coach after battling to a 2-2 draw against Poland in an international friendly at the PGE Narodowy Stadium in Warsaw on Wednesday night, Footynaija reports.
The former African champions twice took the lead and looked on course for victory before the hosts struck late to deny them a memorable win.
Chelle handed a senior debut to Banik Ostrava defender Abdullahi Bewene, who started alongside Igoh Ogbu, Emmanuel Fernandez and Bruno Onyemaechi in a youthful back line. Maduka Okoye kept his place in goal after impressing in recent outings, while Wilfred Ndidi captained a midfield that also featured Frank Onyeka, Tochukwu Nnadi and Moses Simon. Akor Adams partnered Terem Moffi in attack.
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After a cautious opening, Nigeria struck first in the 23rd minute. Ndidi drove forward from midfield and released Simon down the left. The winger delivered a first-time pass across goal and Moffi arrived to finish from close range. Although the assistant referee initially flagged for offside, a VAR review confirmed the goal.
Poland threatened through several attacks before the break, but Okoye produced a fine save in the 27th minute. Nigeria nearly doubled their advantage five minutes before halftime when Nnadi unleashed a powerful effort that was brilliantly tipped over the crossbar.
Just when the Super Eagles seemed set to reach the interval ahead, Poland equalised. In stoppage time, 18-year-old Kacper Potulski reacted quickest inside the penalty area after Nigeria failed to clear a corner, turning the ball home from close range to make it 1-1.
Chelle reshuffled his team at halftime, introducing Calvin Bassey, Zaidu Sanusi, Semi Ajayi, Raphael Onyedika, Philip Otele, Rafiu Durosinmi and Paul Onuachu.
The changes helped Nigeria regain control. However, the visitors wasted several promising openings around the hour mark and were nearly punished when Robert Lewandowski broke through on goal. Okoye once again came to Nigeria’s rescue with an excellent save to deny the veteran striker.
At the other end, Sanusi tested Kamil Grabara with a powerful effort from distance as the Super Eagles continued to push for a winner.
Their pressure finally paid off in the 80th minute. Following a VAR review for handball inside the Polish penalty area, the referee pointed to the spot. Onuachu stepped up and calmly converted, sending Grabara the wrong way to restore Nigeria’s lead.
Okoye then produced two outstanding close-range saves to preserve the advantage and appeared set to help Nigeria secure victory. But with only minutes remaining, defender Przemyslaw Wisniewski struck from long range, beating the Nigerian goalkeeper and ensuring Poland earned a share of the spoils.
While the late equaliser denied the Super Eagles victory, the result extended Chelle’s unbeaten run to 23 games without defeat in regulation time.
