Ndidi says Eagles were strong against Poland

Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi believes the team was in control during their exciting 2-2 draw with Poland in Warsaw. He admitted that their habit of sitting back in the second half cost Nigeria the win they deserved, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.

Ndidi, who plays for Besiktas, was on the pitch for the full 90 minutes at the PGE Narodowy Stadium on Wednesday night. He was one of only three players, along with goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and newcomer Abdullahi Bewene, to play every minute of the match.

This game was special for Ndidi. He was the only player on the field who also played in the last match between these two teams, a 1-0 win for Nigeria in Wroclaw back in March 2018.

“It was a good game, a brilliant game,” Ndidi said. “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.”

Nigeria opened the scoring in the 23rd minute thanks to Terem Moffi. He scored from close range after Ndidi drove forward from midfield and passed to Moses Simon on the left. Okoye had a busy night in goal, making a key save before Tochukwu Nnadi almost doubled the lead but was stopped by a great save.

But Nigeria's lead did not last. In first-half stoppage time, 18-year-old Kacper Potulski took advantage of a defensive mistake during a corner kick to equalize for Poland, sending both teams into halftime at 1-1.

Coach Chelle made seven changes at half-time, and Nigeria took back control. Okoye made a fantastic save to deny Robert Lewandowski as Poland pushed forward. The Eagles regained the lead in the 80th minute when Paul Onuachu scored from the penalty spot after a handball was spotted by VAR.

Okoye then made two more important saves to keep Nigeria ahead. But in the 95th minute, Przemyslaw Wisniewski scored a powerful long-range shot to level the game for the hosts.

Even with the late equalizer, Chelle's unbeaten streak in regulation time now stands at 23 matches. Ndidi emphasized that the team's goals remain strong as they prepare for their next friendly against Portugal.

“We always try as much as possible to get a win in every game. With our philosophy, with our vision, and most importantly, to try and give a good game, try to be at our best and try to see if we win the game,” he said.