Poland lost to Ukraine 2–0 in a friendly in Wrocław on Sunday, with both goals scored before half-time.
The Poles have now lost back-to-back defeats after suffering a 3-2 defeat to Sweden in the World Cup qualifying playoff in March.
Roman Yaremchuk struck from distance in the 34th minute, and Andriy Yarmolenko added a second ten minutes later.
The game carried particular emotional weight – it was Poland’s first match since the sudden death of assistant coach Jacek Magiera on 10 April, aged 49.
Players wore shirts bearing his photograph during the warm-up, a shirt was also left on an empty seat beside head coach Jan Urban on the bench throughout the game, and supporters paid tribute with a minute of loud applause before kick-off.
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Robert Lewandowski made his 166th appearance for Poland – a national record – and remains the country’s all-time leading scorer with 89 goals.
Poland will hope to return to winning ways when they take on Nigeria’s Super Eagles in another friendly game in Warsaw.
The last time the Super Eagles faced Poland was in another friendly encounter which the three-time AFCON winners won 1-0 in 2018.
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles will go into the tie with Poland on a high after retaining the Unity Cup thanks to a 3-0 win against Jamaica in the final on Saturday.
By James Agberebi
