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Despite putting up a battling and impressive display the Super Eagles fell to a 2-1 loss to Portugal in Wednesday’s international friendly match.
Chelsea’s Pedro Neto opened the scoring for the hosts but Akor Adams equalised for the Super Eagles.
Substitute Francisco Conceicao then netted what proved to be the winner with a brilliant finish.
It is now back-to-back wins for Portugal against the Super Eagles. The first time the two teams clashed was in 2022 also in a friendly which the Portuguese won 4-0.
Before the start of the game Alex Iwobi received a frame on the pitch to mark his 100th appearances for the Super Eagles.
Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez put out a very strong starting eleven with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Ruben Dias, Diogo Dalot, Joao Neves and Vitinha.
Also Read: ‘I’m Proud’ — Iwobi Excited Ahead 100th Super Eagles Cap
For the Super Eagles, head coach Eric Chelle had Maduka Okoye in goal, debutant Christian Akpan, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi and Bruno Onyemaechi in defence.
In midfield were Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Tochukwu Nnadi while the attack had Adams, Moses Simon and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.
Ronaldo had the first attempt on goal just two minutes into the game but saw shot go wide.
In the seventh minute Onyemaechi had the Super Eagles first chance just outside the box but his low shot was well saved by the Portuguese keeper.
Just two minutes later Ronaldo had the first big chance off a counter attack but failed to put the ball past Okoye despite going one on one.
Few seconds later Adams had the chance to broke the deadlock only to see his low left foot strike go just off target.
But it was Portugal who took the lead as Pedro Neto received a pass inside the box from Diogo Dalot and hit a low strike which went past Okoye.
Fernandes was close to doubling the lead on 33 minutes it saw his left foot shot palmed away for a corner kick by Okoye.
It was the turn of Trincao to go close for the hosts but his left foot effort went just over the bar.
The Super Eagles them drew level on 37 minutes thanks to Adams. He collected a pass from Dele-Bashiru, then hit a left foot shot which went under the legs of the keepe.
Before the start of the second half Portugal made several chances which saw the likes of Bernardo Silva, Joao Felix, Joao Cancelo and Conceicao coming on.
Just like they did in the first half, the Portuguese dominated the early parts of the second but the Suoer Eagles remained firm.
In the 49th minute Ronaldo had another big opportunity following a brilliant cross by Nuno Mendes but the former Ballon d’Or winner made a mess of his shot with Okoye to beat.
But in the hour mark Portugal almost went ahead but Ndidi made a timely interception to deny Conceicao.
Chelle then brought in fresh legs, sending on Abdullahi Bewene, Zaidu Sanusi, Terem Moffi, Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika.
Also Read: Why Playing Against Super Eagles Is A Big Opportunity For Portugal – Chelle
With 15 minutes left Conceicao then made it 2-1 as he drove inside the box and hit a low left foot shot which flew past Okoye.
Chelle made two more changes on 79 minutes throwing in Emmanuel Fernandez and Paul Onuachu and also in the 89th minute he introduced Philip Otele.
Felix had a chance to extend Portugal’s lead on 82 minutes but was shoved off the ball by Bewene for Okoye to come out to claim the ball.
Two minutes later Okoye made a point-blank save from a dangerous cross to keep the scoreline 2-1.
Few minutes later substitute Samuel Chukwueze raced towards goal but the retreating Portuguese defenders quickly closed him down before clearing the danger.
By James Agberebi
23 Comments
Great game!!
Bassey, Dele Bashiru, Akor, Nnadi, and Ajayi delivered again.!!
Playing Dele Bashiru in the CAM was the masterstroke.. He delivered with an Assist.
Once again, Ndidi and Iwobi failed to step-up against a highly technical and tactical midfield…
Simon is no.longer reliable…
May be Tijani and Yussuf can be given opportunities.
The once that joined in the second half have failed to raise their games.
Bros pls left Simon out of dis wan, Simon is stii one of our better playere and stii have a lot to offered de SE, eet ees Iwobi and Moffi we are talking, Moffi can jus stayed on de bensh buh Iwobi mus neva saw the green white green again.
But on a difrent note, can pipo imaging dis useless south African oponus ehn, Efen afta al dere haterd and wikednesses to Nigerias in dere useles contri, dey stii had an effontry to start a 9ja in dere useles team – imaging dat dey has dat shameless Okon guy in dere startings lined ups for dis march with Mexico?
Shameles pipos.
Honestly, the Midfield combo of Ndidi and Iwobi is a disaster.. Pls Mr Chelle should rejig it.
Ndidi is still 29. And “fresh” captain. E go hard for Chelle.
Iwobi is playing in the EPL. E go hard too.
Chelle has a headache to treat because our midfield was useless tonight.
Ungrateful people you expect to beat World Cup Portuguese with team B Eagles. Our fans must learn to be objective and realistic before they destroy a promising team with nonsense expectations.
…..so If we beat them the world will end like it ended last week when CIV defeated France.
Osimhen and Lookman’s absence has suddenly turned the team to a team B……. LMAOOO.
Hello….only 4 of the 19 players that played last night has not attended and AFCON with Nigeria.
Must we mess up this team spirit after all the high praise of recent just because they didn’t win today after going 2-1 to Portugal away?
Did we lose any point to warrant ignorant bashing? As fans we must start using our brains like Larry stated above to find positives before going critical, and also respect opinions that overrides nonsense before disrespecting other football lovers that sees the game from a perspective that you lack. Patience and respect defines maturity. I don’t know but you and monkey post on this forum are odd and childish to reason with.
Calling this team a “Team B” is the height of disrespect and “messing up of team spirit”.
So listen to your own advice more. It will help you.
I dont think anyone here has bashed the “team” for losing a friendly game, no less to Portugal. So calling people “ungrateful” for pointing out the weak links in the team, who (have now become CONSTANT WEAK LINKS by the way) is utter lack of respect for their perspectives.
So before you give us motivational speeches about respect, you should enrol yourself for hands-on, in-depth, far-reaching courses in respect.
So again, if we beat Portugal, would the world end like it ended last week when CIV defeated France, or would it end like it ended when we defeated Argentina in free WC friendlies in 2017…..?
They’re not a disaster,rather the gulf in class was evident last night.
Iwobi and Ndidi plays for Fulham and Besiktas respectively,when clubs like that come against the PSG’s and Manchester united of this world,where the Portuguese players ply their trade,they’re pegged back because the quality is never the same!Exactly what we witnessed last night.
However,we did well and we take lot’s of positives in the game going forward.At some point we created chances but poor decision making marred it.In a game of few chances like last night,you don’t waste begging chances..
This game was played in Portugal, abi? And we still managed to contain them, and even could have beaten them! Eric Chelle, congrats. You don officially blow. Big clubs and countries are watching. I sincerely hope we can hold on to this coach.
The bulk of the Unity Cup squad should form the core of this team.
I would have started Moffi alongside Akor, with D Bash playing the Lookman role behind them. The Unity Cup midfield of Tijani, Nnadi and Yusuf may not have the star status, but they would have been more effective against Portugal today. Our back four was ok, except for Sanusi. I need to see more of Akpan though. He tried, but still quite rough around the edges. Bewene once again impressed. That young man is indeed a revelation.
Would have loved to see Azeez in this game. And also looking forward to Zadok Yohanna’s contribution to this squad. The lad just signed for Brighton. A gem of a player.
Portuguese fans probably expected a total white wash today. Sorry to disappoint you all, hehehe.
Let’s do this again when we have a proper NFF. I fancy our chances!
I have said this times without number that the midfeild of Ndidi and iwobi is the worst in the history of super eagle.
I can’t wait for next afcon to be over and never to see them playing for eagles.
These two for me have even stayed too long, creating a form of deceptive confidence.
Please Chelle start building new set of midfield player with accurate passes.
When last did eagles score from kick?
Gone are the days of Friday Ekpo, Mutiu Adepoju, Okocha, Mikel, Onanzi, Olise,even John Obodo.
Ndidi iwobi combo! The wikedest, weakest and worsetest combo of the Super eagles history.
Wike, you are extremely wicked.
His name is Christian Obodo, not John Obodo.
Repent from your wicked ways!
Chelle…….for the umpteenth time, change your midfield before your midfield changes you.
This old guard will earn 100 caps playing together and still play disjointedly like they are just meeting one another for the first time ever, once they face a fairly average strength opposition.
Gosh…!! I said it before that there is nothing new these ones have to offer, and I wasn’t proven any wrong.
We need ball-playing, yet neatly grafting midfielders in this team, midfielders who can create from deep….not back and sideways passers who hide and avoid responsibility when it beckons. Iwobi can not continue to be the only source of incision in this team……we need incision from deeper as well. The man who is supposed to be delivering the “final pass” to your CF cannot continue to loiter around your own half for the majority of the game.
For the umpteenth time, Chelle, change your midfield before your midfield changes you.
It’s okay…… 2022 and 2026 will be like romantic movies very soon.
I still don’t feel it with Chelle yet. I don’t see it yet.
Kudos to the Super Eagles. I’m impressed by what we’re seeing under Eric Chelle — there’s clear progress and the team looks more organized. The defense has really improved and I’m happy to see new faces stepping up at the back. I do think the midfield could use a bit more variety though, especially against top sides. The Ndidi and Iwobi pairing struggles at times, so I’d love to see the coach try combinations like Bashiru and Alhassan to add balance. Overall, I believe in this squad and the direction we’re heading. Well done, guys.
We can now see the impact of a coach who understands the team. Unlike under Gernot Rohr, where there were setbacks, Eric Chelle is steadily rebuilding and fixing the issues that affected Nigerian football. His approach is bringing more structure and hope back to the squad.
Want me to make it sound more like a fan statement or more like a formal comment for a post?
AI on point lol
“Want me to make it sound more like a fan statement or more like a formal comment for a post?”
Hahaha, AI doings.
Papi, you for review your post before posting na. To avoid avoidable embarrassment, lol.
So pipo are now copying and pasting AI comments on CSN?
Chai, ewoooo! Is that how desperate some pipo are to appear intelligent?
Let us try and have small shame now?
We are still recovering from multiple identity maestro, one man, one dozen identities. Debating with himself, agreeing and disagreeing with himself. Now we have the AI Titan! AI keyboard warrior!
Twale oga!
Yessoo I’m still learning
@Sly I’m not a PhD holder Ai is my lecturer I’m still learning
@pompei Ai is my lecturer. I grew up in francopnone nation I’m better in french Ai has been the reason my English keep improving. I’m still learning
@Pompei Ai is my lecturer because I’m still learning.i grew up in francopnone nation where I finished my secondary school I can only do better in french. Ai has been helping to improved my English.
Stan my man, I just dey play.
You have every right to comment however you are able to. As long as you don’t insult pipo.
It’s called freedom of speech.