Portugal head coach, Roberto Martinez, has provided fitness update on Manchester City right-back Matheus Nunes and Joao Felix, ahead of next Wednesday’s international friendly with Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
The Super Eagles will be guests to World Cup-bound Portugal in the second of their double-header friendly games.
In their first friendly match against Poland in Warsaw on Wednesday, the Super Eagles conceded in stoppage time to draw 2-2.
Before facing the Super Eagles, the Portuguese will take on Chile today (Saturday) in a tune up game as they continue their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
However, both Nunes and Félix did not train on Thursday with their teammates which has raised concerns as the 2016 European champions prepare for the mundial.
Nunes Still Not Fit To Train
“In football, nothing is certain, so we always work prepared to expect the unexpected,” Martinez said in Friday’s presser (as quoted by Abola). Unfortunately, Matheus Nunes is still not fit to train, so he is out of the squad for the game against Chile. It’s not the time to take risks. We hope Matheus will be fit for the second game, against Nigeria.
“João Félix will train and we will make a decision after training, but I think it’s a different situation. I feel it’s positive and that he will be fit to play (against Chile).”
Also Read: Friendly: Portugal Won’t Find It Easy Against Super Eagles -Agu
Nunes, Felix Performance For Their Clubs Last Season
Nunes was a key member of the Manchester City side that won the FA Cup and Carabao Cup last season.
The 27-year-old made 34 appearances in the Premier League last campaign, scored one goal and made five assists.
On his part, Felix netted 20 goals and had 13 assists in 33 matches for Al Nassr, in the Saudi Pro League.
But the Selecao boast of some of the finest players like captain Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, Ruben Dias, Vitinha and Rafael Leao, who should be good enough test for the Super Eagles.
Preparation For AFCON 2027 Qualifiers
The two high-profile friendlies are part of the Super Eagles warm-up for the 2027 African Cup of Nations qualifiers which will begin in September.
To get to next year’s tournament the Super Eagles must qualify from a group that has co-host of the AFCON Tanzania, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
By James Agberebi
