Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi has joined the rest of the squad in Warsaw ahead of Wednesday’s international friendly against Poland.

Ndidi and other stars such as Moses Simon and Akor Adams were named in the squad for the June international window but were absent as a new-look Eric Chelle side won the Unity Cup title in London at The Valley, Charlton Athletic stadium.

The team arrived in the Polish capital on Monday and held their first training session under light rain at the Stadion Polonii Warsaw, ahead of their clash at the PGE Narodowy Stadium on Wednesday.

According to the team’s media officer, Promise Efoghe, 18 players arrived in Poland, but only 16 took part in the session.

The players in camp include goalkeepers Maduka Okoye, Francis Uzoho and Arthur Okonkwo.

Ndidi, Simon and Adams were joined by Paul Onuachu, Terem Moffi, who captained the team in London, Tochukwu Nnadi, Emmanuel Fernandez, Semi Ajayi, Rafiu Durosinmi, Zaidu Sanusi, Igho Ogbu, Raphael Onyedika, Frank Onyeka, Bruno Onyemaechi and Banik Ostrava midfielder Abdullahi Ibrahim.

After facing Poland on Wednesday, the Super Eagles will travel to Portugal, where they will take on the Selecao in their final World Cup tune-up game of the current international window.

Chelle, fresh from leading the Eagles to retain the Unity Cup in London, is looking forward to Wednesday’s game with optimism.

“There is a culture of winning that we are trying to build in this team, and that mentality is important. You can say that it is difficult to have games at this time because the players have been in holiday mood for about two weeks, but the job must be done.

“We have 18 players in camp now and we will work with that. Everybody must work hard and we will go into the match with the determination to win.”

Ahead of the friendlies, Chelle had lamented the absences of 2023 and 2024 African Players of the Year, Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman.

The Franco-Malian coach will also be without midfielder Alhassan Yusuf and Samuel Chukwueze, who recently buried his mother in Imo State.

Super Falcons players are expected to start arriving in camp in Ikenne, Ogun State, ahead of their upcoming pre-WAFCON double-header friendlies against Senegal.

The Nigeria Football Federation announced head coach Justine Madugu’s 23-player squad for the matches which come after the 10-time African champions missed other windows to prepare for the 2026 WAFCON.

Madugu’s list includes captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and veteran forward Asisat Oshoala.

Midfielder Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene also retained her place in the squad after returning during the recent friendlies against Cameroon following a three-year absence, while forwards Francisca Ordega and Gift Monday were also called up.

Belarus-based Blessing Nkor returns to the squad after last featuring in the friendly against France in November 2024, while Turkey-based midfielder Kafayat Shittu also earned another invitation after impressing for Giresun Sanayispor Kulübü.

Another returnee is London City Lionesses defender Rofiat Imuran, who has not featured for the Super Falcons since the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Also included in the squad are home-based goalkeeper Anderline Mgbechi, Israel-based defender Sikiratu Isah, defender Tosin Demehin, midfielders Halimatu Ayinde and Toni Payne, as well as forwards Folashade Ijamilusi and Joy Omewa.

The trio of Christy Ucheibe, Shukurat Oladipo and Rinsola Babajide, who all won titles with their clubs during the recently concluded season, also made the squad.

The Super Falcons will host Senegal on Friday, June 5, with a second match between both teams scheduled for Monday, June 8. Both games will take place at the Remo Stars Sports Complex in Ikenne-Remo.

Senegal will face hosts Morocco, Algeria and Kenya in Group A of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, which will be held in Morocco from July 25 to August 16, while 10-time champions Nigeria will take on Egypt, Zambia and debutants Malawi in Group C.

The two friendly matches are expected to form part of Nigeria’s preparations for the continental tournament as Madugu continues to assess his squad ahead of the competition.

Tens of thousands of Arsenal fans put aside their pain at missing out on European glory as the club on Sunday celebrated its first Premier League title since 2004 with a parade in London.

Reams of Gunners supporters lined streets in the north of Britain’s capital to watch their heroes show off the Premier League trophy from the upper deck of an open-top bus.

Decked out in the club’s famous red-and-white colours, the fans chanted, cheered, waved flags, and set off flares as they reveled in being champions of England for the first time in 22 years.

Some climbed trees, roofs and traffic lights in the hope of catching a glimpse of Mikel Arteta’s side.

The good-natured celebrations were in stark contrast to scenes of violence witnessed in France overnight, where revelry following Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League win over Arsenal was marred by unrest.

Hundreds of people were arrested across France following clashes with police, burglary, and vandalism.

“I’ve waited a long time (for this),” 67-year-old Steven Turner, wearing a red Arsenal hat and attending the parade with his daughter, said.

“I was a little bit disappointed and sad yesterday. But they played very well. I’m still very happy to be here—very proud of the team,” he added.    Arsenal were confirmed Premier League champions on 19 May when second-placed Manchester City drew at Bournemouth.

They had been hoping for a double celebration by following up the league success with a first Champions League trophy in the club’s 140-year history.

But the English giants suffered heartbreak in Budapest on Saturday by losing on penalties to PSG as the French club were crowned European champions for the second season running.

Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes missed penalties in the shoot-out after the match finished 1-1 after extra time.

Kai Havertz had fired Arsenal into an early lead before Ousmane Dembele equalised from the spot for the French side in the second half.

Arsenal’s Premier League title came after the club finished runners-up in the league for the previous three seasons.

Nick Randall, who works in retail, was only nine years old when Arsenal last won England’s top flight.

He drove from Manchester, some 200 miles (320 kilometres) away, with his partner and baby for Sunday’s party.

“Overwhelmed” was how he described his feelings.

“We haven’t had a team like this for 15 years. I felt fine yesterday, a bit sad, but we won the Premier League still,” he said.

Williams Ayodeji, who grew up in Nigeria, travelled from the Scottish capital Edinburgh for the parade.

“I am so happy. It’s been 22 years. I was a baby last time. I love this team. They are part of my life,” he said.

The 36-year-old Uber driver said winning the Premier League was “a good start” that could hopefully propel Arsenal to Champions League glory next season.

Sarah Ball, 47, said she shed a tear when Arsenal lost in Budapest but felt “very proud” of her team.

“It would have been nice to have a double, but we won the Premier League, so happy with that,” she said.

The parade started shortly after 2:00 pm (1300 GMT) and was due to take two hours to complete a nine-kilometre (5.6-mile) route close to the club’s Emirates Stadium in the area of Islington.

Four buses formed part of the celebration, including one carrying Arsenal Women, who won the inaugural Women’s Champions Cup in February.