Ndidi Leads Training Session As 18 Eagles Storm Warsaw For Poland Friendly

Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi led an initial squad of 16 players in their first training session in Warsaw on Monday evening, as Nigeria began preparations for Wednesday’s international friendly against Poland. The three-time African champions are set to face the ‘White-Reds’ at the 58,000-capacity Stadion PGE Narodowy.

This upcoming match marks only the second encounter between the two nations at senior level. Their previous meeting, a friendly on 23rd March 2018 in Wroclaw as part of their 2018 FIFA World Cup warm-up, saw Nigeria secure a 1-0 victory with Victor Moses scoring the decisive goal.

Both Nigeria and Poland narrowly missed out on qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals. Poland were defeated 3-2 by Sweden in the Euro playoff final after beating Albania, while the Super Eagles lost to DR Congo in a penalty shootout in the African playoff final, having previously overcome Gabon.

The Super Eagles contingent at the Warsaw Presidential Hotel for Monday’s lunch included Captain Ndidi, goalkeepers Maduka Okoye, Francis Uzoho, and Arthur Okonkwo; defenders Bruno Onyemaechi, Zaidu Sanusi, Emmanuel Fernandez, and Igoh Ogbu; midfielders Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika, and Tochukwu Nnadi; and forwards Moses Simon, Paul Onuachu, Jerome Akor Adams, Terem Moffi, and Rafiu Durosinmi.

Defender Semi Ajayi, whose Hull City FC recently earned promotion back to the English Premiership, arrived after lunch, as did new invitee Abdullahi Bewene. Neither participated in Monday’s training session.

Coach Eric Chelle, fresh from guiding the Eagles to retain the Unity Cup in London, expressed optimism for Wednesday’s fixture. “There is a culture of winning that we are trying to build in this team, and that mentality is important,” Chelle stated. “You can say that it is difficult to have games at this time because the players have been in holiday mood for about two weeks, but the job must be done. We 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.”

The Franco-Malian coach put his squad through an 80-minute session under light rain at the Stadion Polinii Warsawa. Tuesday’s official training will take place at the match venue, Stadion PGE Narodowy.

Nigeria’s Last Five Matches:

Egypt 0-0 Nigeria (AFCON third-place match: 17/01/26) – Nigeria won after penalty shootout
Iran 1-2 Nigeria (International Friendly: 27/03/26)
Jordan 2-2 Nigeria (International Friendly: 31/03/26)
Nigeria 2-0 Zimbabwe (Unity Cup 2026: 26/05/26)
Jamaica 0-3 Nigeria (Unity Cup 2026: 30/05/26)

Poland’s Last Five Matches:

Poland 1-1 Netherlands (2026 World Cup Qualifier: 14/11/25)
Malta 2-3 Poland (2026 World Cup Qualifier: 17/11/25)
Poland 2-1 Albania (2026 World Cup Playoff: 26/03/26)
Sweden 3-2 Poland (2026 World Cup Playoff: 31/03/26)
Poland 0-2 Ukraine (International Friendly: 31/05/26)