Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has extended late invitations to two emerging talents, Christian Akpan and Abdullahi Bewene, ahead of Nigeria's upcoming international friendlies against Poland and Portugal.

The duo were drafted into the squad following the withdrawal of several key first-team players, including Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen and Alhassan Yusuf.

Akpan, a promising full-back with Belgian side KRC Genk, recently featured in the club's UEFA Europa League play-off campaign. The 21-year-old also enjoyed a productive season with Genk's second team, where his performances reportedly caught the attention of the national team coaching staff.

Meanwhile, Bewene earned his call-up after impressing for FC Baník Ostrava in the Czech Fortuna Chance Liga. The midfielder's consistency and development in European football have now been rewarded with an opportunity to represent Nigeria at senior international level.

The Super Eagles are scheduled to take on Poland national football team on Wednesday before facing Portugal national football team a week later in what are expected to be crucial tests for Chelle's evolving squad.

Opportunity Knocks for New Faces

The withdrawals of established stars may be a setback for Nigeria, but they also create valuable opportunities for younger players to stake a claim for future national team involvement.

Friendlies often serve as important evaluation periods for coaches, and both Akpan and Bewene will be eager to prove they belong at the highest international level.

For Chelle, the matches against Poland and Portugal offer a chance to assess squad depth ahead of future competitive fixtures while integrating fresh talent into the team.

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At first glance, losing players of the calibre of Lookman and Osimhen appears to weaken the Super Eagles. However, international friendlies are often the perfect environment to discover new options and build squad depth.

Nigeria has historically benefited from giving young players opportunities when established stars are unavailable. Many of the country's most successful internationals first emerged through circumstances similar to these.

Akpan's experience in Belgium and Bewene's progress in the Czech Republic suggest they have already been exposed to competitive European football, which could ease their transition to the international stage.

For Chelle, the upcoming games are about more than results. They are an opportunity to evaluate character, adaptability, and readiness under pressure. If either Akpan or Bewene impresses, Nigeria may emerge from these friendlies with more options and greater competition for places.

In modern international football, depth can be just as important as star power. These late call-ups may have arrived unexpectedly, but they could prove to be the beginning of something significant for both players and the Super Eagles.