AFCON 2025
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will continue their preparations for future international assignments when they face Poland in an international friendly on Wednesday.
The match will take place in Warsaw, Poland, by 7:45 PM Nigerian time.
The encounter is another opportunity for head coach Eric Chelle to assess his squad against top European opposition as he continues to shape the team following recent international outings.
Although the match is officially a friendly, both sides are expected to approach it with seriousness. Nigeria will be eager to build momentum and improve tactical cohesion under Chelle, while Poland will look to bounce back from recent disappointing results and continue their own rebuilding process.
One thing to note, but nations will not be at the 2026 World Cup.
Here are five Polish players Nigeria must be wary of.
Robert Lewandowski
No discussion about Poland can begin without mentioning Robert Lewandowski.
At 37, the Barcelona striker remains the face of Polish football and one of the most prolific forwards of his generation. The former Bayern Munich star has enjoyed a remarkable international career, scoring 89 goals in 166 appearances for Poland, making him by far the country’s all-time leading goalscorer.
To put his record into perspective, even if the international goals scored by every player invited by Eric Chelle for this window were combined, they would still not match Lewandowski’s tally for Poland.
What makes Lewandowski dangerous is not just his finishing ability. He is a complete striker who can influence games in several ways. He frequently drops deep to receive possession, helping Poland progress attacks while dragging defenders out of position. His movement inside the box remains elite, and his understanding of space allows him to create opportunities even when heavily marked.
His leadership is another major asset. As captain, he sets the tone for the Polish team and often becomes the player his teammates look toward in difficult moments.
Nigeria’s central defenders will need to remain focused for the entire ninety minutes because Lewandowski rarely requires more than one opportunity to make the difference.
Piotr Zieliński
If Lewandowski is Poland’s attacking leader, Piotr Zieliński is undoubtedly the engine that keeps the team running.
The Inter Milan midfielder has earned more than 108 caps for his country, scoring 17 goals and providing 19 assists. Over the years, he has established himself as one of the most technically gifted midfielders Poland has produced.
Zieliński’s greatest strength lies in his intelligence on the ball. He possesses excellent vision and is capable of unlocking defensive lines with accurate through passes. Whether operating as a central midfielder or in a more advanced role, he constantly looks to create chances for teammates.
He is also dangerous when making late runs into the penalty area. Opponents who focus exclusively on Poland’s forwards often forget about Zieliński’s ability to arrive unmarked and contribute goals from midfield.
For Nigeria, stopping Zieliński could be just as important as stopping Lewandowski. If Poland are allowed to control possession, much of their attacking play will flow through the Inter Milan star.
This places considerable responsibility on Wilfred Ndidi and the rest of Nigeria’s midfield. They will need to close down spaces quickly and prevent Zieliński from dictating the tempo of the match.
Pietusewski
Among the newest names in the Polish squad, Pietusewski represents the future of the national team.
The 18-year-old FC Porto winger made his senior international debut only a few months ago in March 2026, but he has already generated significant excitement among Polish supporters.
His performances at club level have shown why many believe he could become one of Poland’s next stars. This season, he contributed six goals and six assists in 49 appearances, impressive numbers for a player still in his teenage years.
Pietusewski is blessed with pace, confidence, and excellent dribbling ability. He enjoys attacking defenders directly and is particularly dangerous during counterattacks where his speed can be fully utilized.
Poland are currently undergoing a gradual transition from the generation built around Lewandowski, and many expect Pietusewski to play an important role in that process.
For Nigeria, controlling him in wide areas will be essential. Bright Osayi-Samuel and the Super Eagles’ defensive unit will need to limit the space available to the youngster whenever Poland break forward.
Jakub Kiwior
At the heart of Poland’s defence stands Jakub Kiwior, one of the most important players in the team’s tactical setup.
The defender has already amassed 44 appearances for the national team and has grown into a leadership role despite still being relatively young.
Kiwior’s biggest strength is his comfort on the ball. Unlike traditional centre-backs who focus primarily on defending, he plays a major role in helping Poland build attacks from deep areas.
This quality explains why Poland often utilise a three-man defence. The system allows Kiwior the freedom to step forward into midfield and help initiate attacking moves without leaving the team completely exposed.
His ability to carry the ball forward can create problems for opponents because it forces midfielders to make difficult decisions about whether to close him down or maintain their defensive shape.
Interestingly, this same strength can also become a weakness.
Whenever Kiwior advances out of his defensive position, spaces can emerge behind him. If Nigeria’s attackers can identify those moments and exploit them with quick movements, they may find opportunities to create dangerous situations on goal.
Nicola Zalewski
Another player Nigeria must pay close attention to is Nicola Zalewski.
The versatile wing-back has become an increasingly important figure for Poland because of his energy, creativity, and technical quality.
Capable of operating on either flank, Zalewski constantly looks to drive forward and support attacks. His willingness to take on defenders and deliver crosses into the penalty area makes him a valuable weapon for the Polish team.
His partnership with Lewandowski could prove especially dangerous. Zalewski possesses the ability to produce accurate deliveries from wide positions, and few strikers attack crosses better than the Polish captain.
What also makes Zalewski effective is his work rate. Even after joining attacks, he quickly recovers defensively and helps maintain balance for the team.
If Nigeria allow him too much space on the wings, he could become one of Poland’s most influential players during the match.
The Super Eagles’ wide players will therefore need to match his intensity and prevent him from dictating play from the flanks.
If Nigeria are to secure a positive result, the Super Eagles will need to win the key individual battles and limit the influence of Poland’s most dangerous players in what promises to be a fascinating contest.
