The Super Eagles of Nigeria will take on Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal in an international friendly in September.
This was revealed by Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Secretary General, Muhammad Sanusi.
Though, there is no official statement from the NFF or the Portuguese Football Federation.
According to Sanusi the game is expected to hold in September, as the NFF want to take advantage of the FIFA window following the postponement of the 2023 AFCON qualifiers till March next year.
Also, Sanusi stated that Eagles coach Jose Peseiro is involve in the arrangement of the friendly with Portugal.
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Speaking on Brila FM, Sanusi said“We are all aware that qualifiers was fixed for September but because of the change of date of the AFCON qualifiers which has been moved to next year March, therefore the NFF has made it a duty to always use the FIFA window to play quality friendly matches with the aim of keeping the team in good shape.
“That’s why we use the contact and connection of our coach (Jose) Peseiro who is a Portuguese to arrange a quality friendly match with the Portuguese national team.“
Nigeria and Portugal have never clashed at senior level but both countries met three times at the U-20 World Cup with Portugal winning all three meetings (twice in 1989 and 2013).
Portugal will take on Eagles’ rivals Black Stars of Ghana in the group stage at this year’s World Cup in Qatar.
In 2016 Portugal won her first ever senior major title after edging hosts France in the European Championship final.
12 Comments
That is if Ronaldo will play, Hope Ebuehi will start because Aina won’t be playing next competitive match due to cards accumulation
Could we make this a double clash, with three-day break? Oga Peseiro/NFF look into this!
I will suggest they make it a double header for both teams. Nigeria should shop for more formidable opponents….kudos NFF!!!!!
A double header will not be a good Idea. The Super Eagles should play different teams like Bulgaria or Romania for variety.
I agree I don’t like the idea of a double game.. Since the match will be in Europe can’t we get another European team to play with Even if it is not a top10 European team.. Austria, Iceland, Serbia can go ,or any other European team.. Anyway kudos to the organizers.. I support ebuebi starting this game. Players like shehi, awaziem, balogun should be dropped for now.. I expect new players that will improve the team for the future
This has been my dream match all these while and i sure hope this happens. I also want Cristiano Ronaldo to be there with his full team same with super eagles full team . Everyone including Victor Oshimen , Joe aribo, Calvin Bassey , Leon Balogun etc. All of them . They must show up . This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Also I agree there should be a double header as well.
Leon Balogun has not even gotten a club the way some fans just reason shows that it is all names and they don’t keep up with how active the players are…
Ehen he’s not gotten a club and Rangers are leaking goals,causing a Rangers legend to cry out that they need to re-sign Balogun.
Don’t just put your brother down because he has not gotten a club. Check his fitness. Gareth Bale hardly played in Real but Wales will keep calling him,till he qualified them for the coming World Cup. If Bale was a Nigerian many of us would have said, “forget dat guy,he’s too proud,he has lost his quality, na im make Madrid dey bench am”.
We like to listen to the popular press instead of making research. NOW BALE WILL PLAY IN THE WORLDCUP. He has left Madrid and he has not played 90mins for his new club in US,infact he was not listed in the team for the last two matches.
For me,we have better defenders than the Ekongs and Baloguns. I’m talking based on merit,not just because someone is benched or clueless.
I still need to see a good deputy to Ndidi. People like Azu Ikechukwu them are there.
Please let’s support our own wisely.
Sorry “clubless” not clueless.
Which one is once in a LIFE TIME OPPORTUNITY?
Mehn I sense INFERIORITY COMPLEX in your COMMENT..
Oh my GOD! Gone are the days of RASHIDI YEKINI, FINIDI GEORGE, AMOKACHI etc
I mean who is RONALDO or PORTUGAL?
Anyway I don’t BLAME any of you…
I BLAME EGUAVOEN, PINICK and DARE..
Because it’s so SHAMEFUL the way some of you LOOK DOWN on the TEAM..
SMH!!!
I recommend Super Eagles should play an other teams like South Korea, Qatar, Serbia, Netherland; Peseiro must recall a new players especially at defensive midfield just like Alhassan Yusuf, Azubuiki Ikechukwu, Anderson Esiti; at center defence he must recall a players just like Francis Daniel the new boy of Bayern Munichen; at right back he must recall Tyronne Ebuehi who is now effective in Italian club FC Empoli.
Amoo and Victor Boniface should be tried in this match.