Nigeria Vs Poland Friendly Ends 2-2
Eric Chelle’s near-impeccable record as Nigeria coach continued on Wednesday, as his Super Eagles were held to a 2-2 draw by Poland after surrendering the lead against the hosts twice.
Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman were all unavailable along with some other stars.
Terem Moffi and Paul Onuachu scored either side of the break and the Super Eagles looked to be on their way to victory, but found themselves pegged back with seconds left of both halves as Poland came from behind to tie.
The result ensured that the Super Eagles extended their run of unbeaten games under Chelle to 12 matches.
Chelle has made it clear that he wants his team to play with energy, and that was exactly what the Super Eagles did in front of 54,000 spectators inside the 58,000-capacity Stadion PGE Narodowy cauldron.
They played without fear, and stood up physically to their hosts. It came as no surprise when Moffi side-footed them in front after 23 minutes from a Moses Simon cross.
Initially called ruled out for offside on Simon, a VAR check showed that the Paris FC forward was marginally onside when he received the pass from captain Ndidi, and the goal was allowed.
Kacper Potulski erased that lead in first-half added time from a corner kick.
But the Super Eagles returned in the second half, again aided by VAR, which called the referee’s attention to a deliberate handball offence in the box.
Substitute Onuachu stepped up and buried the ball beyond Kamil Grabara.
Nigeria created opportunities aplenty.
Zaidu Sanusi’s crisp shot was punched away by Grabara.
Tochukwu Nnadi was also foiled by the Polish goalkeeper, and Onyedika skied a great opportunity before the home side earned themselves a draw at the end.
Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Ola Aina were all unavailable.
Paul Onuachu, Raphael Onyedika, Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi all started from the bench, as Chelle went with only three of the players who started in the Unity Cup final against Jamaica – Moffi, Igoh Ogbu, Terem Moffi and Tochukwu Nnadi.
At the same time, he handed a debut to 21-year-old right back Abdullahi Bewene of Banik Ostrava.
Held together by the spine of captain Wilfred Ndidi, along with goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defender Bruno Onyemaechi, midfielder Frank Onyeka and Simon, the team was not cohesive in the first half, especially at the back where communication between Emmanuel Fernandez and Ogbu was strained.
But they held their own against a strong Poland team led by captain Robert Lewandowski.
