Eric Chelle Views Poland Friendly As Key Test Ahead Of AFCON Qualifiers

Eric Chelle Views Poland Friendly As Key Test Ahead Of AFCON Qualifiers

Sampson Adedeji 

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has welcomed Nigeria’s international friendly against Poland, describing the clash as an important opportunity to evaluate his squad as they prepare for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The Super Eagles will face the European side in Warsaw on Wednesday in what Chelle believes will be a stern test against strong opposition.

Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a setback Chelle acknowledged, while urging the team to move forward with focus.

“We’re sad we’re not going to the World Cup, but that’s life,” Chelle said. “We have to focus on our vision and strengths.”

The former Mali national team coach emphasized that facing a competitive European nation like Poland offers the perfect platform to experiment tactically and assess the squad’s current level.

“The match against Poland, which is a difficult opponent, is a good opportunity to test a few different approaches,” he added.

The friendly is expected to provide Chelle and his technical team with valuable insights into the team’s readiness as they gear up for the crucial AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign, which begins later this year.