Newly invited Genk of Belgium defender Christian Akpan has arrived in the camp of the senior national team of Nigeria ahead of the friendly game against Portugal, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Fresh from making his first team debut for Genk, where he was voted the Man of the Match he was given a shock call up by head coach of the Nigerian team Eric Chelle.

Chelle called up the 21 year old in the wake of the withdrawal of some invited players, and some couldn’t get a visa to travel to Warsaw for the game against Poland, which ended in a 2-2 draw yesterday in Warsaw.

We exclusively reported his invitation and planned arrival today. Comfortable as a left or right back, he will now push for his debut against Portugal on the 10th of June, but face stiff competition from Abdullahi Bewene another newly invited player who held his own yesterday against Poland.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Head coach of Poland Jan Urban has defended his team’s 2-2 draw against Nigeria in yesterday’s friendly game in Lisbon, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Poland came from behind twice to draw against Nigeria scoring late in both halves, a result that at least spare the coach his job after a run of defeat including in the world cup playoff.

Despite halting a losing run, the media were still heavily critical of the team under his guidance casting doubts over his continued stay as coach of the team.

He was asked if a defeat yesterday would have cost him his job and he said: “I wasn’t concerned about that we conceded first again, because we were playing well and we continued to play well even after the goal”, he said at the post match presser.

“It was a really good match from our side against a good team, because you could see how they operate the ball, how they play…”

World football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo will play for Portugal against Nigeria when both teams clash on the 10th of June in a friendly in Lisbon, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

It was initially said that the 41 year old will miss the game, which is their final test game in the build up to the world cup to allow him a proper rest before the start of the tournament.

However reports say he has told head coach Roberto Martinez that he is available to play in the game, and will most likely start in what will be his first game against the African nation.

Nigeria arrived in Lisbon on an unbeaten run in the summer starting from the Unity Cup where they emerged champions for the second consecutive year with wins over Zimbabwe (2-0) in the semi final, and Jamaica (3-0) in the final.

Yesterday they were forced to a 2-2 draw by Poland in Warsaw, and will head into the game on a high with head coach Eric Chelle yet to taste defeat in regulation time since his appointment over a year ago.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Abdullahi Bewene who made an instant impression for the senior national team of Nigeria in his debut game yesterday against Poland has opened up on how he was converted to a right back by the coach of the Nigeria U17 team, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

The top striker of the senior national team of Poland Robert Lewandowski has praised the performance of the goalkeeper of Nigeria Maduka Okoye in yesterday’s 2-2 draw, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Nigeria led twice in the game but Poland found a way back into the game with two late goals in each halves to earn a draw.

Lewandowski who fired blanks in the game felt it was a fair result, but largely due to the performance of Okoye who was in goal for Nigeria.

Okoye made a back to back save at close range, which Lewandowski said had a huge impact on the final score of the game in Warsaw.

” We (Poland) didn’t play badly and deserve more from the game. It was a fair result against a very good team in Nigeria and their goalkeeper had a good game that a huge impact on the final scores”, the legendary striker said.

Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle says he is open to handing opportunities to new players after a solid display by debutant Abdullahi Bewene in yesterday’s 2-2 draw against Poland, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Bewene was thrown into the mix by Chelle after the 21 year old impressive performance in training despite coming in as a late replacement for Bright Osayi-Samuel.

His invitation stirred up debates about if he actually merits a call up, but th Banik Ostrava of Czech Republic midfielder who played as a right back yesterday answered his critics with an impressive display in a jam packed stadium in Warsaw.

” I don’t think you can stop inviting new players, but they have to be a window for them to show us what they can do. Every player we invited will be given a chance and it’s up to them to prove us right”, the coach said.

The team will now regroup for the game against Portugal on the 10th of June in Lisbon.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

The senior national team of Nigeria were forced to a 2-2 draw by Poland in an international friendly game in Warsaw, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

They conceded too late goals in both halves after going ahead twice in the game courtesy of the duo of Terem Moffi and Paul Onuachu who scored from the spot.

We noticed five things during the game, which preserved the unbeaten run of head coach Eric Chelle in regulation time, since taking over as coach of the team.

1. Super Eagles Now Play With A Structure – Due credit must be given to head coach Eric Chelle for building a structure that has helped new players to be comfortable. Yesterday without six regulars in the starting lineup, the team still played in a way that is similar to when the regulars are available. His much talked about ” Game Project” is really a thing.

2. Okoye Make Strong Case To Be Number 1 -He has his best performance since losing his spot as the number one goalkeeper of the team, and it’s coming at a time when first choice Stanley Nwabali isn’t available

3. Bewene Can Play – The Banik Ostrava midfielder didn’t look like a player who was making his debut. Confident on the ball, strong in tackles and also contributed to the team’s attack. That is a whole lot for a player who was drafted into the team just two days ago in the wake of the withdrawal of some invited players.

4. Nnadi More Suited To Eric Chelle’s Style – Marseille midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi has in three straight games showed that he is at home with the demands of the coach. Yesterday the moment he was substituted. Poland begin to see more of the ball.

5. Simon Can’t Be Dropped – Moses Simon picked up another assist and it’s clear to see why he has survived all managers since breaking into the team in 2016. Completed more dribbles than any player and also defensively ensured that he provide cover for his full back.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

The senior national team of Nigeria were forced to a 2-2 draw by Poland in an international friendly game in Warsaw, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

They conceded too late goals in both halves after going ahead twice in the game courtesy of the duo of Terem Moffi and Paul Onuachu who scored from the spot.

We rate the players on display for Nigeria in the game.

Maduka Okoye – Calm, assured and decisive on the ball. Make a miraculous double save to deny Poland a way back at 2-1. Maybe he should have done better for the late equaliser, but on the context of his overall performance he had a very good game….. 9/10

Abdullahi Bewene – Had a debut to remember. Extremely good on the ball and made really good decision under pressure. Might need to work on his defensive side. He was however the star of the night….. 9.5/10

Bruno Onyemaechi – His usual ball playing self which helped the team in dominating the first half. Neat in possession and also assured in defending…..7/10

Emmanuel Fernandez – Another game where he didn’t look out of place. Commanded the backline really well and showed remarkable passing ability from the back…… 8/10

Igoh Ogbu – Lost Robert Lewandowski a couple of times and got his timing wrong on three different occasions. Still need to do a lot to keep his spot in the team…….. 6/10

Tochukwu Nnadi – Worked tirelessly for the entire duration that he was on. Broke up play and initiated attacks from his advanced role. Almost scored with a curler before the end of the first half. A good showing for the Marseille man……. 9/10

Wilfred Ndidi – Operated as the leader not just in midfield but the team. Drove them forward and protected the back four really well……. 8/10

Frank Onyeka – “The Tank” was as usual the busiest player on the pitch for the team. Drove them forward with intent and defensively put in a very good shift…….. 8/10

Moses Simon – Once again another assist to further strengthen his claim as the one with the highest in the colours of Nigeria. By far the liveliest player in the Super Eagles attack…… 9.5/10

Terem Moffi – A batting ram that ensured that the Poles defender had no breathing space. Made a good run for the goal and contributed a lot to keeping the team’s structure with his pressing from the front…… 8/10

Akor Adams – Not at his best but the one thing you can’t fault is his endeavour, drive and passion. Chased down all balls and his pressure stopped Poland from playing out of the back with ease…….. 7/10

Substitutes:

Paul Onuachu – Took his goal from the spot really well and came close to scoring twice. He need to however get involved more and also contribute off the ball………7/10

Rafiu Durosinmi – Struggled to get going and didn’t get involved probably felt uncomfortable playing behind the main striker, as opposed to his traditional role as the top striker…….. 5/10

Raphael Onyedika – Failed to match the energy of Nnadi but gave his bit with his ball distribution and positional awareness…….. 6/10

Zaidu Sanusi – A chance to show what he can do better than Bruno but didn’t make the best use of it. Sloppy in possession and it almost cost the team……. 5/10

Calvin Bassey – Had Lewandowski in check and drove the ball forward with confidence. Helped in bringing stability to the defence…….. 710

Semi Ajayi – Another monstrous performance from the Hull City man. Won all his duels and also didn’t put a pass wrong…….8/10

Philip Otele – His best performance in a Super Eagles shirt. He was direct, daring and completed all his take ons. A very good performance…….7/10

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

The senior national team of Nigeria were forced to a 2-2 draw by Poland in an international friendly game in Warsaw, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Nigeria came off the blocks flying very early into the game and got rewarded for their dominance, when Moses Simon teed up Terem Moffi for the opening goal of the game in the 25th minute.

It was initially flagged for offside but after a review by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) it was given as a goal. A lead they held till the final minutes of the half when the home side leveled.

A raft of changes by Nigeria didn’t make them start the second half like they did at the start of the game, but they soon got going and after a VAR review, they were handed a penalty which Paul Onuachu expertly converted from the spot.

With virtually the last kick of the game, Poland leveled with a long range effort which left goalkeeper Maduka Okoye in no man’s land to level the tie to 2-2.

Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle has picked Banik Ostrava midfielder Abdullahi Bewene to start in today’s game against Poland, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Bewene a late call up impressed Chelle in training like we exclusively reported in the morning and will start as part of a back four alongside Igoh Ogbu, Emmanuel Fernandez and Bruno Onyemaechi.

Maduka Okoye keeps his place in goal with captain Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka and Tochukwu Nnadi as the midfield three.

Moses Simon leads the attack that also has the duo of Terem Moffi and Jerome Akor Adams as top striker.

Starting XI; Okoye, Bewene, Onyemaechi, Ogbu, Ndidi, Onyeka, Nnadi, Simon, Moffi, Adams