Preview: Portugal vs. Nigeria – Super Eagles test might against World Cup-bound Selecao in Lisbon

The three-time African champions sq. up towards the 2016 European Championship winners within the first-ever worldwide assembly between the 2

Nigeria will, on Thursday, November 17, commerce tackles with Portugal on the 50,000-capacity Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon in what’s the first-ever full worldwide between each international locations.

The match is Portugal’s final engagement earlier than they jet out to Qatar on Friday, the place they’ll kick off their 2022 FIFA World Cup marketing campaign with a conflict towards Ghana on November 24.

The Tremendous Eagles is not going to be in Qatar after narrowly lacking out on qualification on the closing playoff spherical, with Ghana’s Black Stars benefiting from the away aim rule.

Preview

Alongside defending champions France, Brazil, and Germany, Portugal will likely be one of many favourites to raise the trophy in Qatar.

However the 1966 World Cup bronze medallists head to the Mundial on the again of two defeats of their final 5 matches, falling to Switzerland and Spain.

Portugal will need to declare a win over Tremendous Eagles earlier than their World Cup opener.

It may very well be a simple affair for the Europeans with Nigeria on a three-match dropping streak in pleasant video games beneath Portuguese supervisor Jose Peseiro.

Peseiro has led the Eagles to losses towards Ecuador, Mexico, and Algeria, with Nigeria’s defeat on the hand of Costa Rica final week coming beneath the steerage of assistant coach Salisu Yusuf.

Towards his nation of beginning, Peseiro will know a win for the Tremendous Eagles would increase his standing within the sport amongst his compatriots.

Portugal group information

Forward of the Mundial, Portugal have invited among the nation’s greatest footballers throughout the globe.

And that roll name contains five-time Ballon D’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo – unarguably probably the greatest to have performed the sport.

Whereas the 37-year-old is now not on the peak of his powers, his affect may very well be the important thing distinction on Thursday.

Nigeria group information

Sadly, not like Portugal, Nigeria can’t depend on the qualities of the group’s greatest participant, Napoli striker Victor Osimhen. Harm (or not) has made the Serie A prime scorer unavailable for this encounter.

Coach Jose Peseiro, nonetheless, has succesful replacements in Lorient’s Terem Moffi and Belgian Jupiler Professional League’s prime marksman Paul Onuachu.

First-time invitees Boavista’s Bruno Onyemaechi and Fenerbahce’s Vibrant Osayi-Samuel may make their debuts towards the Portuguese.

Previous war-horses William Troost-Ekong and Oghenekaro Etebo will likely be on the bottom, although, to supply expertise and stability to the Eagles.

Nigeria most likely lineup 4-2-3-1:
Uzoho; Awaziem, Troost-Ekong, Akpoguma, Bassey; Ndidi, Etebo, Iwobi; Aribo, Moffi, Lookman.

Match particulars

Competitors: Worldwide pleasant
Match: Portugal vs. Nigeria
Venue: Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon
Date: Thursday, November 17, 2022
Time: 7:45 pm (Nigerian time)