The Super Eagles are all set for a high-profile friendly with the Portugal national team in Lisbon on Thursday night.
The Eagles will hope to show the world what they can do despite missing out on a slot at the World Cup starting in Qatar in less than 72 hours.
Despite coming up against his home country, the Super Eagles coach, Jose Santos Peseiro, has called on the three-time African champions to go all out for victory in Thursday’s prestige friendly.
Arrival at the Estadio Jose Alvalade #soarsupereagles pic.twitter.com/M2EdEeJioR
— ???????? Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) November 17, 2022
The 50,000-capacity Estádio José Alvalade is the venue of the friendly on Thursday, which will be the first ever between the two countries.
With the absence of Ahmed Musa, William Troost-Ekong will lead the Super Eagles against the Portuguese national team.
Though players like Victor Osimhen and Olisa Ndah pulled out with injuries from tonight’s tie, coach Peseiro has a decent squad to spring a surprise or two against World Cup Portugal.
Kickoff is 6:45 p.m. Portugal time (7:45 p.m. Nigeria time).
Lineups are in and Bright Osayi-Samuel makes a debut at right back while Kevin Akpoguma partners William Troost-Ekong in central defence.
In Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence, Andre Silva leads the line for Portugal, supported by Joao Felix and Bernardo Silva.
Kickoff is just minutes away.
Nigeria’s starting lineup : Uzoho; Osayi-Samuel, Akpoguma, Troost-Ekong, Bassey; Ndidi, Iwobi, Aribo; Lookman, Moffi, Simon.
How we line up vs @selecaoportugal tonight#SoarSuperEagles #PORNGA pic.twitter.com/rbRHt4ji3w
— ???????? Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) November 17, 2022
The national anthems of both teams being rendered ahead of the official kick off
The Super Eagles take their turn first ahead of the Portugesse
Kickoff.. Portugal get the game underway
No clear chances yet for both teams
Jao Felix blows off a big chance for Portugal after a miss kick inside the Nigeria box
Bruno Fernandez with another bright chance but after his last touch goes over the bar
Goal….The Manchester United is back again and it’s a goal.. Fernandez gives Portugal the lead
Dalot with the assist… Portugal 1-0 Nigeria
Corner kick for Portugal taken by Mendez
Andre Silva comes close to doubling the lead for Portugal
Jao Felix with a curling effort from outside the box but it is over the bar … Portugal 1-0 Nigeria
Bright Osayi having a bright debut for Nigeria on the right flank
30 minutes gone Portugal dominating and deservedly one goal ahead
Moses Simon with Nigeria’s first real shot on target but it’s straight into the hands of the Portugal goalkepeer..
Free kick for Portugal…
Penalty kick for Portugal…
Harsh one for Nigeria.. Fernandez makes it 2-0 for Portugal
Uzoho sent the wrong way as Fernandez makes it 2-0
Aribo’s low shot blocked for Nigeria’s third corner kick
Portugal are in the same group with Ghana’s Black Stars at the World Cup, they are trying the Super Eagles for size to know what to expect against their fellow West Africans
HALF TIME: Portugal 2-0 Nigeria
A flurry of changes for Portugal as we get set for the second half…Pepe in as new captain for the hosts
Nigeria make a change as Ademola Lookman is off for Samuel Chukwueze
Portugal keeping their two goal lead five minutes into the second half
Paul Onuachu in for Terem Moffi as the Super Eagles continue their search for their first goal tonight
Calvin Bassey gets a descent cross into the Portugal box but they clear it off
Moses Simon wins a free kick for Nigeria just outside the penalty box
Moses Simon takes the kick itself and it’s straight into the goalkepeer’s hand
Andre Silva out for debutant Ramos
Big chance for Nigeria as Chukwueze is denied a goal by the Portugal goalkeeper
Important block by Bright Osayi denies Jao Felix a great attempt at goal
The Atletico Madrid star has been all around the Super Eagles but no goal yet
Another change for Nigeria as Moses Simon is pulled off for Emmanuel Dennis
March 2019 was the last time Nigeria won a friendly game and it was against Egypt.. with barely 12 minutes left, beating Portugal looks tough for Nigeria
Bright Osayi wins a penalty for Nigeria
Emmanuel Dennis elects to a take the penalty kick and he misses it!
Goal .. Goncalo Ramos makes it 3-0
FT: Portugal 4-0 Nigeria
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