The Super Eagles gave Portugal a proper send-off fight before losing 2-1 in Leiria on Wednesday night, and the performance left far more positives than the scoreline suggests, Footynaija.com reports.
It was only Nigeria’s second meeting with Portugal in senior football. The first, in Lisbon in 2022, ended 4-0. Wednesday felt nothing like that. Chelle’s side were also missing Osimhen and Lookman, yet still had Portugal nervous deep into the second half.
Here are five things we learned from a night that should give Nigerian football real hope.
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5. Iwobi’s 100th cap deserved a better ending
Alex Iwobi became only the sixth Nigerian player to reach 100 senior international caps on Wednesday, receiving a special commemorative shirt before kick-off and wearing it with dignity throughout.
The Fulham midfielder was replaced by Philip Otele in the dying seconds, ending his milestone night on the wrong side of the result. That Iwobi was still starting and still contributing at this level, pressing, linking play and carrying the ball intelligently against a near full-strength Portugal, says everything about the longevity and professionalism of a player Nigerian football has not always appreciated enough.
4. Okoye proved he belongs at this level
Nigeria’s goalkeeper was tested repeatedly and delivered. He produced a brilliant save to deny Bruno Fernandes in the first half, and later kept out a Samu volley that was heading goalward with an instinctive reaction stop.
In a game where Portugal had a lot of possession against a side without its two biggest names, Okoye’s performance was one of the defining reasons Nigeria stayed competitive for the full 90 minutes. His case as Nigeria’s undisputed number one is closed.
3. Adams is filling the Osimhen void credibly
Akor Adams has now scored six goals in 14 appearances for Nigeria since making his debut in October 2025, and his 37th-minute equaliser against Portugal was the highlight of his international career so far.
He bullied Rúben Dias, kept his composure inside the box and slotted past Diogo Costa. The Sevilla forward physically dominated Inacio throughout the first half and gave Portugal’s defence the kind of uncomfortable evening they rarely experience.
With Osimhen’s future uncertain heading into the summer, Adams is making a compelling argument that the position is in safe hands regardless of what happens.
2. The World Cup absence stings more after nights like this.
Nigeria arrived in Leiria unbeaten in their last six matches across all competitions, having won the Unity Cup and drawn with Poland. They then went to Portugal, missing Osimhen and Lookman, and pushed the 2025 Nations League winners to the final quarter before conceding a Conceição winner.
Portugal open their World Cup campaign against DR Congo on June 17, the very team that eliminated Nigeria in the CAF playoff last November. Every time Nigeria perform like this, the reality that they will not be in North America this summer lands harder. This group is good enough. The absence is a genuine wound.
1. Chelle’s rebuild is real, and it is working
When Chelle arrived in January 2025, he inherited a squad in transition and a federation under scrutiny. Eighteen months later, he has won the Unity Cup, integrated NPFL players into senior football for the first time in years, given debuts to over a dozen new faces, and produced a side that held Portugal to 1-1 at half-time without its two best attackers.
Francisco Conceição’s 75th-minute winner was the difference, but Nigeria never stopped competing. The foundation being built here is tangible. AFCON 2027 qualifying begins in September, and on this evidence, the Super Eagles will be ready!
