Bassey joins Super 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 international friendly.

Bassey’s arrival gives coach Eric Chelle more options in defence. He welcomed the lively defender into the team.

Philip Otele, who is based in Germany and did well at the Unity Cup in London, was expected to arrive in camp on Tuesday night.

Chelle can now choose from several defenders. The Fulham player can partner Semi Ajayi in central defence. Igoh Ogbu and Emmanuel Fernandez are also available.

“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,” Chelle said.

Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye arrived in Warsaw on Monday afternoon. He joined the team for training and showed great form. Arthur Okonkwo, who kept clean sheets in his first two matches for Nigeria during the Unity Cup, is also in the mix. Cyprus-based Francis Uzoho is another option.

Zaidu Sanusi, 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 Abdullahi Bewene are available in midfield.

For attacking options, Nigeria has Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Rafiu Durosinmi, Terem Moffi, Philip Otele, and Paul Onuachu.

Poland recently tried out several debutants in their match against Ukraine on Sunday. Similarly, Nigeria fielded several debutants in their last two games when they won the Unity Cup.

Coach Jan Urban may focus on in-form winger Jakub Kamiński, who came on as a substitute against Ukraine. He also has players like Oskar Pietuszewski, Mateusz Żukowski, Norbert Wojtuszek, Kacper Potulski, and Oskar Wójcik to choose from.

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 58,000-capacity PGE Narodowy Stadium in Warsaw.