Super Eagles stretch unbeaten run to 12 matches after thrilling draw with Poland

Posted : 04 June 2026

The Super Eagles continued their remarkable run under coach Eric Chelle, extending their unbeaten streak in open play to 12 matches after battling Poland to an entertaining 2-2 draw in an international friendly at the Stadion PGE Narodowy in Warsaw.

Despite playing in front of a hostile crowd of over 54,000 supporters clad in Poland's famous white and red colours, Nigeria once again demonstrated character and composure to avoid defeat and preserve a run that has seen them emerge as one of the most difficult teams to beat in recent months.

The sequence began with victories over Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Mozambique, and Algeria before draws against Morocco, Egypt, and Jordan, alongside wins over Iran, Zimbabwe, and Jamaica.

Poland entered the contest determined to bounce back from their disappointing 2-0 defeat to Ukraine and started aggressively. Jakub Kaminski came close to giving the hosts an early advantage in the fourth minute, but his header drifted wide of Maduka Okoye's goal.

The home side continued to push forward through Robert Lewandowski, Piotr Zielinski, Karol Swiderski, and Kaminski, but it was Nigeria that struck first.

In the 23rd minute, captain Wilfred Ndidi initiated a swift attacking move, releasing Moses Simon, whose intelligent pass found Terem Moffi for a simple finish. Although the assistant referee initially ruled the effort out, a VAR review confirmed the goal, handing the Super Eagles a deserved lead.

Poland responded positively and tested Nigeria's defence on several occasions. Okoye produced a smart save from Swiderski, while Igoh Ogbu made a crucial intervention to clear a dangerous delivery into the penalty area.

Nigeria nearly doubled their advantage before halftime when Tochukwu Nnadi forced goalkeeper Kamil Grabara into action with a powerful effort from a tight angle.

However, the hosts restored parity in first-half stoppage time. Following a corner kick, Kacper Potulski reacted quickest in a crowded penalty area to bundle the ball past Okoye and send the teams into the break level at 1-1.

The Super Eagles resumed the second half with renewed purpose. Debutant Abdullah Bewene impressed with his energy and creativity, helping Nigeria regain control of proceedings.

Raphael Onyedika narrowly missed the target in the 56th minute after another promising move, while Zaidu Sanusi forced Grabara into another fine save midway through the half.

Nigeria's persistence paid off in the 76th minute when VAR intervened once more to award the visitors a penalty. Paul Onuachu stepped up confidently and converted from the spot to restore the Super Eagles' lead.

With victory in sight, Nigeria continued to defend resolutely, and Okoye produced another important save from a dangerous Polish set-piece.

Yet the hosts would have the final say. Eight minutes from time, Przemyslaw Wiśniewski unleashed a superb long-range strike from 25 yards that beat Okoye and ensured the encounter ended all square.

While the result denied Nigeria a second consecutive victory over the White-Reds, it further highlighted the resilience and consistency that have become hallmarks of Chelle's team.

The Super Eagles will now turn their attention to another high-profile international friendly against Portugal in Leiria next Wednesday, a fixture that will serve as the Europeans' final preparation match before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

This hard-fought result confirms that Nigeria can maintain its competitive edge against top-tier European opposition away from home. As the team builds momentum under Chelle, the upcoming clash with Portugal offers another vital opportunity to test their tactical discipline. Football fans can expect the Super Eagles to carry this newfound confidence into their next encounter as they continue to refine their squad.

Super Eagles stretch unbeaten run to 12 matches after thrilling draw with Poland

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