Bassey joins Eagles for friendly match in Poland

Fulham defender Calvin Bassey joined the Super Eagles in Warsaw on Tuesday. This brings the total number of players in camp to 20 ahead of Wednesday’s friendly match, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.

Bassey’s arrival gives coach Eric Chelle more options in defense. He is excited to have the energetic defender in camp.

Philip Otele, who impressed at the Unity Cup in London, was also expected to arrive on Tuesday night.

Chelle can now choose from several defenders. Bassey can team up with Semi Ajayi in central defense. Igoh Ogbu and Emmanuel Fernandez are also available for selection.

“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,” Chelle said.

Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye joined the team for training after arriving in Warsaw on Monday afternoon. He showed excellent form. Arthur Okonkwo, who kept clean sheets in his first two matches for Nigeria at the Unity Cup, is also in camp. Cyprus-based Francis Uzoho is available as well.

Zaidu Sanusi, who is a league champion with FC Porto in Portugal, and Bruno Onyemaechi will compete for the left-back position. Captain Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Tochukwu Nnadi, Raphael Onyedika, and young talent Abdullahi Bewene are in midfield.

In attack, there are Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Rafiu Durosinmi, Terem Moffi, Philip Otele, and Paul Onuachu.

Poland tried out several debutants in their recent match against Ukraine on Sunday. Likewise, Nigeria fielded many new players in their last two games while winning the Unity Cup.

Coach Jan Urban may depend on in-form winger Jakub Kamiński, who came on as a substitute against Ukraine. Other players like Oskar Pietuszewski, Mateusz Żukowski, Norbert Wojtuszek, Kacper Potulski, and Oskar Wójcik are also in the mix.

Wednesday’s match will start at 8:45 PM Poland time, which is 7:45 PM in Nigeria. The game will take place at the PGE Narodowy Stadium in Warsaw, which holds 58,000 fans.