Super Eagles of Nigeria edged Poland 1-0 as Victor Moses’ spot kick settled Friday’s friendly between two sides who are in the train to the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Moses’ second-half penalty arrived after a barrage of attempts on goal by the Poles at the Stadion Miejski Wroclaw.
The Super Eagles found attacking opportunities few and far between in Wroclaw.
Gernot Rohr handed starts to Joel Obi, Francis Uzoho and Brian Idowu but they came up against a well-organised Polish outfit who stayed on the front foot for much of the game.
It was the European nation who managed to fashion the game’s first attempt, as Bayern Munich forward Robert Lewandowski struck the cross bar with Uzoho well beaten.
Rohr’s side, who defeated Argentina 4-2 in their recent outing, soon found the type of fluency with Alex Iwobi and Obi showing their qualities with some deft touches at the middle of the park.
Lewandowski found space edge of the area but his effort was comfortably saved by Uzoho, while the Bayern man menaced once more but Rafal Kurzawa failed to connect with his teasing cross.
Nigeria matched their Polish counterparts and Odion Ighalo came close with an header off Victor Moses’ free kick.
In the 42nd minute, Leon Balogun cleared the ball off the line as both sides cancelled each other out in the opening 45 minutes.
The second half started with Poland showing their attacking intent and they were almost rewarded in the 54th minute. But it was the previously jittery Uzoho that made himself big to deny Lewandowski from close range.
Friday’s encounter took a surprise turn when Nigeria silenced the home fans after a spot kick was awarded by the referee when Moses was hauled down in the box. The Chelsea star dusted himself to net from the penalty spot.
Poland nearly leveled matters but they had an header graze the cross bar in the 65th minute.
Uzoho showed commanding presence in the closing stages of the game as Nigeria ran out with a 1-0 victory.
Nigeria now turn their attention to Tuesday’s friendly with Serbia at the Hive Stadium in London.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
