Eric Chelle has confirmed that his strongest squad will be deployed for the Super Eagles’ high-profile international friendlies against Poland national football team and Portugal national football team, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
Nigeria is set to face Poland on June 3 before taking on Portugal on June 10 in what are expected to be crucial preparatory fixtures.
Speaking ahead of the matches, Chelle stressed the importance of the encounters, revealing that he will rely on his first-team players rather than experimenting with fringe options.
“For the big warm-up games in June against Poland and Portugal, I will feature my first team players. These are games that can push up the global ranking if we win them,” he said.
The decision highlights a more strategic approach to friendly matches, with the technical crew aiming to maximise results and improve Nigeria’s position in the FIFA rankings.
Both Poland and Portugal are regarded as strong European opponents, and the fixtures are expected to serve as a significant test for the Super Eagles as they continue preparations for upcoming international competitions.