Overview
The Polish team continued to experience a disappointing period after missing out on the 2026 World Cup. In the play-off final in March, the white and red team equalized twice against Sweden but still suffered a 2-3 defeat due to a goal conceded in the 88th minute by Viktor Gyokeres.
The difficulties of coach Jan Urban's team did not stop there. Last weekend, Poland continued to lose to Ukraine 0-2 in a friendly match in Wroclaw, when Roman Yaremchuk and Andriy Yarmolenko scored two goals in the first half.
More worryingly, Poland has not kept a clean sheet in the last 5 matches and conceded at least 2 goals in 3 of those matches. Uncertain defense is becoming a big problem for Urban before entering a new phase.
The Polish team is currently facing the risk of three consecutive defeats for the first time in more than 3 years. However, they can still find some motivation when the defeat to Ukraine is the first friendly defeat since 2018, after a 12-match unbeaten streak including 9 wins and 3 draws.
Meanwhile, Nigeria entered the confrontation in Warsaw with a much more positive mentality. The African team is ranked 26th in the world and is unbeaten in the last 5 matches, winning four victories and a draw since stopping in the AFCON semi-finals against Morocco.
However, that impressive streak of form could not erase the disappointment when they continued to miss the World Cup after the penalty shootout defeat against Congo in the African regional play-offs.
However, Eric Chelle's team just had a perfect warm-up with a 3-0 victory over Jamaica in the Unity Cup final. Alhassan Yusuf scored a double, while Terem Moffi scored the remaining goal to bring home the championship.
Nigeria also showed remarkable strength in attack when they won 3 out of the last 4 friendly matches and all scored 3 or more goals. Against a Poland defense facing many problems, they have every reason to aim for positive results.
Head-to-head history is also supporting the African representative. In the only previous encounter between the two teams, Nigeria defeated Poland 1-0 in a friendly match in 2018.
Personnel situation
Poland did not suffer any significant losses after the defeat to Ukraine last weekend, but Urban is likely to make adjustments in the starting lineup to find freshness.
Karol Swiderski and Jakub Kaminski are competing for a starting spot on both wings, while center-back Jan Bednarek may return to the squad after not being used in the most recent match. The Porto player is expected to strengthen the defense, which is showing many problems.
In attack, Lewandowski is still the biggest hope of the home team. This veteran striker will continue to lead the attack and aim to improve his impressive scoring record with 89 goals in the national team jersey.
On the Nigerian side, Eric Chelle will not have the services of the two most notable stars, Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman. Osimhen is given rest in the context that his future at Galatasaray is still undecided, and Lookman has not reached his best physical condition.
The African team also lost Samson Tijani and Alhassan Yusuf due to issues related to visa procedures.
Expected lineup:
Poland: Bulka, Kedziora, Bednarek, Kiwior, Pyrka, Zielinski, Piotrowski, Zalewski, Swiderski, Lewandowski, Kaminski.
Nigeria: Okoye, Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Bassey, Onyemaechi, Ndidi, Onyeka, Iwobi, Simon, Adams, Onuachu.
The match between Poland and Nigeria takes place at 1:45 am on June 4 (Vietnam time).
