Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi led 15 other players in the team’s first training session in Warsaw on Monday evening as Nigeria began preparations for Wednesday’s international friendly against Poland.

The three-time African champions held an 80-minute workout under light rain at the Stadion Polonii Warszawa, with head coach Eric Chelle overseeing proceedings ahead of the clash at the 58,000-capacity Stadion PGE Narodowy.

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Wednesday’s encounter will be only the second senior international meeting between Nigeria and Poland.

The Super Eagles won the first meeting 1-0 in Wroclaw on March 23, 2018, courtesy of a Victor Moses penalty as both teams prepared for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Both countries narrowly missed out on qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Poland defeated Albania before losing 3-2 to Sweden in the European playoff final, while Nigeria beat Gabon but fell to DR Congo on penalties in the African playoff final.

18 Players in Camp

Players present at the team’s Warsaw Presidential Hotel on Monday 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 recently secured promotion back to the English Premier League, arrived later in the day alongside new invitee Abdullahi Bewene. Both players did not take part in Monday’s training session.

Chelle Targets Another Victory

Fresh from guiding Nigeria to a successful Unity Cup title defence in London, Chelle said his focus remains on instilling a winning mentality within the squad.

“There is a culture of winning that we are trying to build in this team, and that mentality is important,” Chelle said.

“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 Super Eagles will hold their official pre-match training session on Tuesday at the Stadion PGE Narodowy ahead of Wednesday’s friendly against the White-Reds.