Super Eagles defender Emmanuel Fernandez has insisted Nigeria will head into next week’s friendly against Portugal with confidence and a winning mentality despite being denied victory late on by Poland in Warsaw, Footynaija reports.
The Rangers centre-back played the first half of Wednesday’s entertaining 2-2 draw at the PGE Narodowy Stadium before being replaced by Semi Ajayi after the interval as Eric Chelle’s side stretched their unbeaten run in regulation time to 23 matches.
Nigeria twice moved ahead during the contest. Terem Moffi broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute after a VAR review confirmed his close-range effort. However, the hosts responded in stoppage time before the break when Kacper Potulski forced the ball home from a crowded penalty area following a corner kick.
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The Super Eagles looked set to claim victory when Paul Onuachu converted a VAR-awarded penalty in the 77th minute. But Poland rescued a draw in dramatic fashion as Przemysław Wiśniewski unleashed a superb strike from 25 yards in the fifth minute of added time.
Despite the frustrating finish, Fernandez focused on the positives from Nigeria’s performance.
“I think we have done well in moments, obviously we conceded is not something we want to happen,” Fernandez said after the game.
“But as a team and collective, we have done well and we created chances to win the game.”
With attention already turning to Portugal, the defender believes the Super Eagles have every reason to approach the challenge with belief.
“Everyone is fit and ready to take on Portugal next week. I think we are going to go there with the same fire we came today (Wednesday) and go there for a win,” he stated.
Nigeria will face a star-studded Portuguese side featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva on June 10, hoping to erase memories of their last meeting in Lisbon in 2022, when Portugal ran out 4-0 winners.
