Experienced Fulham defender Calvin Bassey has arrived at the Super Eagles’ Warsaw Presidential Hotel camp ahead of Wednesday’s high-profile international friendly against Poland.
Bassey’s arrival on Tuesday brings the total number of players in the Nigerian camp to 20, providing a healthy balance across all sectors of the pitch.
The versatile defender’s presence gives Head Coach Eric Chelle tactical flexibility in the rearguard, allowing him to potentially pair Bassey with Semi Ajayi, Igoh Ogbu, or Emmanuel Fernandez.
Expressing his optimism, Coach Chelle made the team’s intentions clear as they put the final touches on their match strategies.
“Now, we have a team and we are preparing to go out there and win. Winning is the mentality that we are trying to create in the team, in the players. We will go for a win on Wednesday,” said Chelle.
The goalkeeping department looks sharp with Maduka Okoye showing excellent form in training alongside Arthur Okonkwo and Cyprus-based Francis Uzoho.
A star-studded midfield and attack are also locked in, featuring the likes of Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Moses Simon, and a highly motivated Paul Onuachu.
Mirroring Nigeria’s recent integration of fresh talent during their Unity Cup victory, Polish coach Jan Urban is also expected to blend several debutants into his squad.
The anticipated encounter is scheduled to kick off at 8:45 pm Poland time (7:45 pm Nigeria time) at the 58,000-capacity PGE Narodowy Stadium in Warsaw.
Goalkeepers: Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Arthur Okonkwo (Wrexham FC, England); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus)
Defenders: Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Emmanuel Fernandez (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Frank Onyeka (Coventry FC, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Tochukwu Nnadi (Olympic Marseille, France); Abdullahi Ibrahim Bewene (Baník Ostrava, Czech Republic)
Forwards: Moses Simon (Paris FC, France); Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor AS, Turkey); Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain); Rafiu Durosinmi (Pisa FC, Italy); Terem Moffi (FC Porto, Portugal); Philip Otele (Hamburger SV, Germany)
