Zaidu Sanusi played 29 minutes as Nigeria fell 2-1 to Portugal in Leiria on Wednesday night, yet the Super Eagles left-back walked off the pitch with a message of goodwill for the hosts rather than disappointment about the result, Footynaija.com reports.
Portugal took the lead in the 23rd minute through Pedro Neto, who finished cleanly after a precise cutback from Diogo Dalot. Nigeria hit back through Akor Adams, who produced a brilliant individual effort to level in the 37th minute and give the Super Eagles parity at the break.
The second half remained competitive, but Francisco Conceição sealed it for Portugal in the 75th minute, giving Roberto Martínez’s side a 2-1 win in their final World Cup warm-up.
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Alex Iwobi was presented with a plaque before kick-off to mark his 100th senior international appearance, a moment that added a ceremonial layer to a fixture Nigeria used largely to assess depth and give fringe players minutes. Sanusi, who has spent his club career in Portugal with Porto, was among the more familiar faces in a Nigeria backline that had to absorb Portugal’s quality towards the end of the match.
Speaking after the match, the left-back was honest about how difficult the game was while reflecting on progress made.
“The first half was very difficult for us, but we managed to control it a bit. Portugal is very strong. Four years ago we conceded four goals, now we conceded fewer, which was good,” Sanusi said, per a report by Daily Post.
“I can’t say how far Portugal can go, but it’s my second country, so may they be world champions,” he added.
Nigeria head into the World Cup break having gone unbeaten across their last four matches before the Portugal defeat, winning the Unity Cup and drawing 2-2 with Poland in Warsaw. The Portugal friendly was another step forward in Chelle’s rebuild, even if the final score did not reflect it.
