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Super Eagles Step Up Portugal Preparations as Igho Ogbu Awaits Injury Assessment

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Super Eagles Step Up Portugal Preparations as Igho Ogbu Awaits Injury Assessment

Nigeria’s senior men’s national team intensified preparations for Tuesday’s international friendly against Portugal with another training session in Lisbon on Sunday under the watchful eye of head coach Éric Chelle.

Twenty-two players participated in the two-hour workout, which ran from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., as the team continued fine-tuning tactics and building momentum ahead of the high-profile clash.

The session formed part of Nigeria’s ongoing preparations following their recent 2-2 draw against Poland, a match that came shortly after the Super Eagles’ successful campaign at the 2026 Unity Cup.

However, there is concern over the fitness of defender Igoh Ogbu, who is scheduled to undergo a medical scan in Lisbon on Monday after sustaining an injury. The outcome of the examination will determine whether the centre-back will be available for selection against Portugal.

Despite the setback, the atmosphere in camp remains positive as Chelle continues to evaluate his squad and strengthen team cohesion ahead of upcoming competitive fixtures.

Nigeria will take on World Cup-bound Portugal on June 10 in what is expected to be another stern test for the Super Eagles. The friendly offers an important opportunity for Chelle and his players to assess their progress and continue preparations for future international assignments, including the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

With several new faces pushing for regular places in the squad, the encounter in Lisbon promises to provide valuable insights into the team’s development under the Franco-Malian coach.

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Samuel Ahmadu
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.