Abdullahi Bewene has expressed his delight after making his senior international debut for the Super Eagles in Nigeria's entertaining 2-2 draw against Poland in Warsaw, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 21-year-old Banik Ostrava defender was handed a surprise start by Nigeria coach Eric Chelle at the PGE Narodowy Stadium after regular right-backs Ola Aina and Bright Osayi-Samuel were unavailable.
Bewene was not originally included in Nigeria's squad for the June friendly matches. However, injuries and withdrawals opened the door for him after Osayi-Samuel and Femi Azeez pulled out, allowing the youngster to receive a late invitation.
The defender grabbed the opportunity with both hands. Playing in a youthful back four alongside Igoh Ogbu, Emmanuel Fernandez and Bruno Onyemaechi, Bewene delivered a composed display against a Polish side led by veteran striker Robert Lewandowski.
He looked comfortable in possession, won important tackles, made several interceptions and showed maturity beyond his years. Alongside goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and captain Wilfred Ndidi, he was one of only three Nigerian players to remain on the pitch for the full 90 minutes.
After the match, the former youth international admitted that representing Nigeria was a proud moment in his career.
“I'm very happy and very proud to represent my country, Nigeria. I'm ready to give more of this,” Bewene told Ubuntu Pitch.
“When I'm on the pitch, I'm ready to give my all. So, I just forget everything. There are plenty people in my country, I have to make them happy. I have to make myself happy. So, I have to give all.”
Poland fight back against Bewene's Nigeria
Nigeria twice led during an entertaining four-goal contest but were denied victory by a late Polish equaliser.
The Super Eagles opened the scoring in the 23rd minute when Wilfred Ndidi drove forward and released Moses Simon on the left. Simon's low cross was turned home by Terem Moffi. Although the assistant referee initially raised his flag, VAR overturned the decision and awarded the goal.
Poland responded in first-half stoppage time through 18-year-old Kacper Potulski after Nigeria failed to clear a corner.
Chelle made several changes after the break, introducing Calvin Bassey, Zaidu Sanusi, Semi Ajayi, Raphael Onyedika, Philip Otele, Rafiu Durosinmi and Paul Onuachu.
The former African champions regained the lead in the 80th minute when a VAR review spotted a handball inside the Polish penalty area. Onuachu calmly converted the resulting spot-kick to make it 2-1.
However, just when Nigeria appeared set for victory, Przemyslaw Wisniewski struck a late long-range effort to rescue a 2-2 draw for the hosts.
Despite the disappointment of conceding late, the result extended Chelle's unbeaten run in regulation time to 23 matches and provided another encouraging sign for the future, with Bewene emerging as one of the biggest positives from the night.
When asked whether fans should expect to see him in future Super Eagles matches, the defender remained cautious.
“I will not say because the decision is from the coach. It's up to him.”
After his assured display in Warsaw, though, Bewene has certainly strengthened his case for another opportunity in Nigeria colours.
