Nigeria round off their June international window on Wednesday night with arguably the biggest test of Eric Chelle’s reign so far, a friendly against Portugal at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria, and the Super Eagles go into it with something to prove, Footynaija.com reports.
This will only be the second time these two nations have met in senior international football. The first encounter ended in a 4-0 Portugal win in Lisbon in November 2022 ahead of the Qatar World Cup, a night Nigeria would rather forget.
Four years on, the context has shifted. Portugal are preparing for their World Cup opener against DR Congo on June 17 in Houston. Nigeria are watching from home, using this window to rebuild and find answers before AFCON 2027 qualifying begins in September.
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The motivation on both sides could not be more different, and that makes the game all the more interesting.
Roberto Martínez has almost his entire World Cup squad available for Wednesday’s game.
Cristiano Ronaldo, now 41 and heading into what could be his sixth and final World Cup, is set to feature. Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Vitinha, João Neves, Rúben Dias and Rúben Neves are all available, giving Chelle’s side a proper examination of where they actually stand against elite opposition.
For Nigeria, the absence of Osimhen and Lookman is a major blow, but the Super Eagles arrive unbeaten in their last five matches, having won the Unity Cup and drawn 2-2 against Poland in Warsaw last week.
Terem Moffi and Paul Onuachu will carry the attacking responsibility, while Wilfred Ndidi’s experience in midfield will be tested in the most demanding environment of this June window.
Portugal go into the game having beaten the United States 2-0 in Atlanta and Chile 2-1 in their most recent outings. Martínez will use Wednesday to finalise his World Cup combinations, which means Nigeria should expect Portugal at close to full intensity.
When and where and where to watch
The game kicks off on Wednesday, June 10 at 8:45pm Nigerian time at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria.
How to watch
Nigerian fans can watch live on SuperSport channels via DStv and GOtv. The match is also available on NFF TV, including their YouTube channel, and NTA Sports 24 will also carry coverage. UK viewers can catch it on Amazon Prime Video.
A win for Nigeria would extend their unbeaten run to six games and send them into the AFCON qualifying window in September with serious momentum. Portugal will not make it easy. They never do.
