Eric Chelle Confident As Super Eagles Prepare For Poland Friendly Amid Key Absences

Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has expressed confidence ahead of Nigeria’s international friendly against Poland, insisting his side remains focused on securing victory despite the withdrawal of several key players.

The Super Eagles have been hit by the absence of several regular stars, including Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, who have pulled out of the Poland clash as well as next week’s friendly against Portugal.

Despite the setbacks, Chelle said the players available are determined to deliver a strong performance.

“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 48-year-old coach told thenff.com.

Nigeria will take on Poland on Wednesday at the Stadion Miejski Wroclawiu in Wroclaw before travelling to Portugal for another high-profile friendly a week later.

With the squad depleted by injuries and withdrawals, Chelle has moved quickly to strengthen his options, handing late call-ups to Genk full-back Christian Akpan and Baník Ostrava midfielder Abdullahi Bewene.

Akpan recently featured for Genk during the UEFA Europa League play-offs and enjoyed a productive campaign with the Belgian club’s second team. Bewene, meanwhile, earned his invitation after impressing throughout the season in the Czech Fortuna Chance Liga with lBaník Ostrava.

The duo were drafted into the squad after the withdrawals of several first-team players, including Lookman, Osimhen and Alhassan Yusuf.

Meanwhile, 18 players have already reported to the Super Eagles camp in Warsaw ahead of the encounter. The team opened camp on Monday, with captain Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Paul Onuachu and Frank Onyeka among those involved in training.

Goalkeepers Maduka Okoye, Francis Uzoho and Arthur Okonkwo are also in camp, alongside Terem Moffi, Semi Ajayi, Raphael Onyedika, Bruno Onyemaechi, Zaidu Sanusi and other squad members preparing for the two international fixtures.

Following the Poland test, Nigeria will face Portugal at the Estádio Dr Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria on 10 June as Chelle continues to assess his squad ahead of future competitive assignments.