Eric Chelle has handed Abdullahi Ibrahim Bewene a maiden senior call-up after the 21 year old’s breakout season at FC Banik Ostrava, with the Czech-based defender drafted in to cover for absentees ahead of Wednesday’s friendly in Warsaw.
Nigeria coach Eric Chelle has turned to Czech Republic-based defender Abdullahi Ibrahim Bewene for the Super Eagles’ international friendly against Poland, handing the 21-year-old his first senior national team invitation. The call-up came late, but it was no surprise to those who had tracked Bewene’s 2025/26 season in the Czech top flight.
Bewene, born in Kano on 29 November 2004, had a productive campaign for FC Banik Ostrava, featuring across multiple positions in the club’s first-team setup. His versatility was a key factor in Chelle’s decision, with the young Nigerian capable of operating at right back, right midfield, and even in the No. 10 role behind the striker.
For Super Eagles fans keen on backing Nigeria during the Warsaw friendly, grab the Bet9ja welcome bonus before kick-off.
Filling Gaps Left by Key Withdrawals
The invitation was triggered by a series of withdrawals that disrupted Chelle’s original squad. Alhassan Yusuf and Samson Tijjani both failed to secure the necessary visas to travel to Poland, while Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman were also not part of the camp. Chelle had to move quickly, and Bewene was one of two late additions alongside Belgian based KRC Genk defender Christian Akpan.
Both players were expected to arrive in Warsaw on the evening of 1 June, with only Bewene’s call up confirmed officially at the time of writing. Reports indicate Akpan had only been contacted that same morning. By the time Chelle took his squad to training, 18 players were available, with 16 actively working on the pitch ahead of the Poland game.
New Bet9ja users can take advantage of the Nigeria’s top Bet9ja code before the international break wraps up.
A Season That Caught the Coaching Staff’s Eye
Bewene had been on the radar of Nigeria’s scouting network for some time. He came through the youth and reserve ranks at Banik Ostrava and established himself in the club’s first team during the 2025/26 campaign. He was previously recognised by FootballInNigeria.com.ng as a promising young Nigerian in European football, having played four first team Czech First League matches in the early stages of last season against clubs like Slavia Praha, Sparta Prague, and Viktoria Plzen.
His reading of the game, defensive discipline, and work rate across the full length of the season are what attracted attention at the senior level. He also has history with Nigerian youth football, having represented the Golden Eaglets at the U17 level, where he first announced himself as a talent worth watching.
Those curious about the Bet9ja bonus system can find a clear breakdown in this Bet9ja bonus conversion guide.
What Comes Next
Nigeria face Poland on Wednesday in Warsaw, with another scheduled friendly against Portugal to follow. For Bewene, these games represent a chance to show Chelle what he can offer at the highest level, in a window that is effectively a trial run for what comes next on the Super Eagles’ fixture calendar.
It’s the kind of debut opportunity that rarely comes twice. His performances in these two games could define whether he becomes a regular name in Chelle’s squad plans or has to wait longer for a second chance in green and white.
📌 Did You Know?
- Abdullahi Bewene was born on 29 November 2004 in Nigeria, making him one of only a handful of 21 year olds to receive a senior Super Eagles invitation during the June 2026 international window.
- During the 2025/26 Czech league season, Bewene logged 28 appearances as a right midfielder, eight as a right back, and two in an attacking role behind the main striker, making him one of the most positionally flexible Nigerians in European football at his age.
- Bewene is a product of Banik Ostrava’s youth academy system, having worked his way through the club’s reserve ranks before establishing himself at first-team level. That pathway from academy to first team at a European club is still relatively rare for Nigerian players of his generation.
- Nigeria’s friendly against Poland is taking place in Warsaw, making it one of the few Super Eagles games on Polish soil. The match is part of a wider double-header that also includes a game against Portugal.
- Christian Akpan, who was also called up late alongside Bewene, plays for KRC Genk in Belgium and had featured for the club’s second team during their UEFA Europa League qualifying campaign in 2025/26.
- Alhassan Yusuf, one of the players Bewene’s call-up partially compensates for, plays for Galatasaray in Turkey and has become a regular in Chelle’s plans across multiple qualification campaigns.
- FC Banik Ostrava, the club where Bewene plays, is based in the Moravian-Silesian Region of the Czech Republic and is one of the country’s most historically successful clubs, with multiple Czech league titles to their name since the communist era.
