Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi has given an honest assessment of Nigeria’s entertaining 2-2 draw against Poland, admitting that the team dominated the first half before becoming more cautious after the break, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Besiktas midfielder returned to the starting lineup after missing Nigeria’s recent Unity Cup fixtures in London and led the team out at the PGE Narodowy Stadium in Warsaw on Wednesday night.
Ndidi was the only player in Nigeria’s starting XI who also featured when the Super Eagles defeated Poland 1-0 in Wroclaw back in March 2018. He completed the full 90 minutes and was one of only three Nigerian players, alongside goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and debutant Abdullahi Bewene, to play every minute of the contest.
Despite Nigeria taking the lead twice during the international friendly, Eric Chelle’s men were unable to hold on for victory as Poland struck a late equaliser to force a share of the spoils.
Speaking in the mixed zone after the match, Ndidi offered a straightforward verdict on the encounter and highlighted the difference between Nigeria’s performances in both halves.
“It was a good game, it was a brilliant,” Ndidi said as per Ubuntu Pitch. “We dominated the game. First half was an amazing game and second half we tried to sit back a bit, to defend a bit and then press. Entirely, it was a good game.
“We always try as much as possible to get a win in every game. With our philosophy, with our vision and most importantly is to try and give a good game, try to be at our best and try to see if we win the game.”
Eric Chelle’s Super Eagles extend unbeaten run
Nigeria made a bright start in Warsaw and eventually broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute. Ndidi started the move by driving forward from midfield before releasing Moses Simon down the left flank. Simon’s low delivery across the face of goal was turned home by Terem Moffi from close range.
The assistant referee initially ruled the goal out for offside, but a VAR review overturned the decision and confirmed Nigeria’s opener.
Maduka Okoye was called into action several times before halftime, producing an important save in the 27th minute. Tochukwu Nnadi almost doubled Nigeria’s advantage shortly before the interval when his powerful strike was brilliantly tipped over the crossbar.
However, the Super Eagles were unable to take their lead into the dressing room. Deep into first-half stoppage time, 18-year-old Kacper Potulski capitalised on a defensive lapse following a corner kick and bundled the ball home from close range to make it 1-1.
Chelle responded with several substitutions at halftime, introducing Calvin Bassey, Zaidu Sanusi, Semi Ajayi, Raphael Onyedika, Philip Otele, Rafiu Durosinmi and Paul Onuachu.
Nigeria regained control and continued to create chances, although they needed Okoye to deny Robert Lewandowski with an excellent save after the veteran striker broke through on goal.
The visitors eventually regained the lead in the 80th minute. After a VAR review spotted a handball inside the Polish penalty area, the referee awarded a spot-kick. Onuachu calmly converted from 12 yards, sending goalkeeper Kamil Grabara the wrong way.
Okoye then produced two superb saves to protect Nigeria’s advantage, but Poland found a way back into the game in the closing stages. Defender Przemyslaw Wisniewski struck a powerful long-range effort that beat the Nigerian goalkeeper and secured a 2-2 draw.
Although the late goal denied Nigeria victory, the result ensured that Chelle’s impressive unbeaten run in regulation time stretched to 23 matches.