Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu has expressed confidence in Nigeria’s ability to compete with any team in world football as the national team prepares for two high profile international friendlies against Poland and Portugal.
Nigeria will face Poland in Warsaw on Wednesday (today) before travelling to Portugal for another challenging encounter against the 2016 European champions on June 10.
Onuachu, who is among the 21 players currently in camp, said the squad is fully focused and ready for the task ahead. The experienced forward believes the Super Eagles possess enough quality to hold their own against top opposition.
Speaking to the Super Eagles media team, Onuachu said: “It’s always nice to come around the team and meet the boys again and of course we are ready, we are prepared.
“We have the quality to play against any team in the world and hopefully we are going to show it against Poland and Portugal.”
Despite his optimism, the striker admitted that missing out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup remains a painful disappointment for the players and supporters.
“Sadly we are not going to the World Cup because we have world class players but unfortunately we are not going to the World Cup but it’s football.”
Onuachu arrives in camp in excellent form after enjoying a memorable season with Trabzonspor. The towering forward played a decisive role in the club’s Turkish Cup triumph, scoring both goals in a 2-1 victory over Konyaspor in the final.
He also finished as the joint top scorer in the Turkish Super Lig after netting 22 goals in 30 league appearances, underlining his importance to the team throughout the campaign.
Reflecting on the successful season, Paul Onuachu praised the commitment and determination shown by his teammates despite competing against clubs with greater financial resources.
“We had an amazing season compared to the players we had, the budget of the players we have compared to other teams, I think we really put in a good shift this season.
“We really worked hard, we were close to compete with the other top teams but they are much stronger but winning the Cup was a great feeling for the players and especially for the city, winning the Cup made it an amazing season.”
The striker also credited the club’s playing style for helping him rediscover his best form. He explained that the confidence shown in him by the team played a major role in his impressive goalscoring return.
“I know what the team wants and when you are in a team who plays who plays to your strength and know your quality everything will always work out one way or the other.
“I knew I was going to score some goals even before I made the transfer I made a video for the Trabzonspor game and told them I will be back stronger and better that we have an unfinished business, the last time I was on loan there and promised to finish it and I fulfilled what I said to them before I signed so it was good.”
With confidence high following his outstanding club season, Onuachu will now look to carry that form into the national team as Nigeria seeks positive results against Poland and Portugal in the June international window.
