Nigeria's Super Eagles return to European opposition on Wednesday evening when they face Poland at the 58,000-capacity PGE Narodowy Stadium in Warsaw, Soccernet.ng reports.
It will be the Super Eagles‘ first friendly against a European nation since the painful 4-0 defeat to Portugal in Lisbon in November 2022, a result that exposed several weaknesses in the team and remains one of the heaviest defeats of the modern era.
Eric Chelle will be determined to avoid a repeat. However, the Nigerian coach heads into the game without several important players.
Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman have been excused from the June friendlies after long and demanding club campaigns. Unity Cup standouts Femi Azeez, Alhassan Yusuf and Samson Tijani are also unavailable. Meanwhile, Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi has not joined the squad in Warsaw and is expected to miss the Poland clash, although he could still feature against Portugal next week.
The absences leave Chelle with a major puzzle to solve. Twenty players are currently in camp following the arrivals of Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and late call-up Abdullahi Bewene. With several established stars unavailable, the friendly offers an opportunity for fringe players and newcomers to stake their claim ahead of future competitive matches.
Based on the personnel available, Chelle could deploy a 4-4-2 diamond formation designed to keep Nigeria compact in midfield while still carrying enough attacking threat against a dangerous Polish team.
Super Eagles goalkeeper: Okoye favoured after outstanding season
One of the biggest decisions facing Chelle concerns who starts in goal.
Regular first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali is unavailable, leaving Maduka Okoye, Francis Uzoho and Arthur Okonkwo competing for the position.
Okonkwo enhanced his reputation during the Unity Cup and showed composure whenever called upon. Uzoho has been with the squad since the opening days of camp in London and remains one of the more experienced options available.
Yet Okoye appears the strongest candidate. The Udinese goalkeeper arrives in Warsaw after arguably the best season of his professional career in Serie A. His shot-stopping, command of the penalty area and growing confidence with the ball at his feet make him a logical choice to start against Poland.
Super Eagles defence: Bassey and Ajayi to anchor the backline
The defensive unit is likely to be built around the experienced central pairing of Semi Ajayi and Calvin Bassey.
Ajayi brings aerial strength and organisational ability, while Bassey's recovery pace and ball-carrying qualities could be crucial against a Polish side looking to bounce back from last week's 2-0 defeat to Ukraine.
At full-back, Chelle faces a more complicated situation. With Ola Aina and Bright Osayi-Samuel unavailable, Igoh Ogbu could be asked to operate on the right side despite being naturally more comfortable centrally. The role would require discipline defensively and occasional forward runs to provide width.
Youngster Abdullahi Bewene is another option. The late invitee possesses the athletic qualities needed for the role, but throwing him straight into a senior international debut against Poland may be a risk Chelle prefers to avoid.
On the opposite flank, Zaidu Sanusi may get the nod ahead of Bruno Onyemaechi. Sanusi's experience at international level and his ability to stretch play could prove valuable in a system where width largely comes from the full-backs.
Super Eagles midfield: Ndidi, Onyeka and Dele-Bashiru carry the burden
Without Alex Iwobi, Nigeria lose their most creative midfielder and one of the team's key ball progressors.
The responsibility for controlling midfield could therefore fall on a diamond featuring Wilfred Ndidi at the base, Frank Onyeka and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru as the shuttlers, and Moses Simon operating behind the forwards.
Ndidi's role would be straightforward but vital. The Benfica midfielder would sit in front of the defence, break up attacks and cover spaces left behind when the full-backs push forward.
Onyeka would provide the energy and pressing intensity. His work rate could be essential against Poland's physical midfielders, especially during transitions.
Dele-Bashiru may be the most important piece of the puzzle. The Lazio midfielder offers driving runs from deep, progressive passing and an ability to arrive late in dangerous areas. Chelle will hope he can compensate for the absence of Iwobi's creativity.
At the tip of the diamond, Simon could be used in a more central role than usual. The Paris FC winger has occasionally been tested as a playmaker under Chelle. With both Lookman and Iwobi missing, he may be tasked with finding pockets of space between Poland's midfield and defence, creating opportunities for the strikers through quick combinations and incisive passes.
Super Eagles attack: Moffi and Adams expected to lead the line
Osimhen's absence leaves a significant void. The Galatasaray star's pace, pressing and goals have been central to Nigeria's attack for several years. Lookman's unavailability further reduces the team's attacking firepower.
That could open the door for a strike partnership between Terem Moffi and Akor Adams.
Moffi offers proven international experience and a natural eye for goal. His movement inside the penalty area and ability to finish with either foot make him Nigeria's most obvious attacking threat.
Alongside him, Adams would bring physicality and intelligent movement. The Sevilla forward's ability to hold up play could help Nigeria progress up the pitch and allow midfield runners to join attacks.
Together, the pair provide a different attacking profile from the Osimhen-Lookman combination but still possess enough quality to trouble Poland's defence.
Predicted Nigeria XI vs Poland
Formation: 4-3-1-2 Diamond – Okoye; Ogbu, Ajayi, Bassey, Sanusi; Ndidi, Onyeka, Dele-Bashiru, Simon; Moffi, Adams.
