Warsaw International Friendly: Poland Force Nigeria To 2-2 Draw
AFOLABI SAHEED OLAWALE
Nigeria remains unfathomable for Poland at the senior international level as goals by Terem Moffi and Paul Onuachu ensured the Super Eagles extended their unbeaten run to 12 matches in drawing 2-2 with the White Reds in Warsaw on Wednesday.
Following a miserable performance on Sunday, in which they lost 0-2 to Ukraine, Poland’s army were eager to get out of the blocks, and as early as the 4th minute, Jakub Kaminski saw his close-range header fly past the sticks manned by Maduka Okoye.
Egged on by over 54,000 spectators inside a 58,000-capacity Stadion PGE Narodowy cauldron that was all white-and-red, Kaminsiki, the veteran Robert Lewandowski, Karol Swiderski, Piotr Zielinski and Kacper Potuski all showed passion and commitment as they searched for the opening goal.
However, the opening goal came at the other end. Slick and steady, the Super Eagles pressed with wisdom and intention, and in the 23rd minute, Moses Simon set up Terem Moffi for a simple tap-in after receiving a marvelous pass from captain Wilfred Ndidi.
The effort was initially ruled out, but the VAR called the attention of the referee and eventually awarded the goal.
Okoye was alert to save a close one from Swiderski in the 28th minute, and as the game wore on, the hosts came close again in the 37th minute but Igoh Ogbu foiled a good cross from the right. Nigeria could have been up by two goals in the 40th minute, only for Tochukwu Nnadi to see his angled drive thwarted by goalkeeper Kamil Grabara.
Poland had a corner in added time of the first half, and from the goalmouth melee, Potulski slid the ball past Okoye for the White Reds’ equalizer.
Nigeria started the second period brightly, but Raphael Onyedika swept the ball over the bar from a promising move initiated by youngster Abdullah Bewene in the 56th minute. Bewene, on his debut, had a great game. He was also involved in the 73rd minute, when Zaidu Sanusi’s crisp shot from another great team move was punched away by Grabara.
Three minutes later, the Video Assistant Referee awarded Nigeria a penalty, and Paul Onuachu made no mistake from six yards.
Eight minutes to the end, Poland thought they had drawn level when legs were apportioned to the ball from a free-kick at the edge of Nigeria’s 18-yard box, but Okoye proved equal to the task.
Just when it looked like the Eagles had secured two wins in two matches against the White Reds, Przemyslaw Wiśniewski fired past Okoye from 25 yards to ensure honours were shared on the night.
Next up for the Super Eagles is another friendly encounter, against Portugal in Leiria on Wednesday next week. The match is Portugal’s final game before their participation in this year’s FIFA World Cup finals.
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