Super Eagles’ coach, Eric Sekou Chelle posited ahead of his team’s international friendly away to Portugal on Wednesday that the hosts’ squad are capable of becoming champions at this year’s FIFA World Cup, Sports247 reports.
Chelle gave the permutation in his pre-match comments 24 hours before kick-off in Leiria, Portugal, where the Franco-Malian tactician affirmed that his team will give the best they can against their star-studded hosts.
He acknowledged that Portugal have many key players to count on under all circumstances, but equally assured that the Super Eagles will give a very good account of themselves during the encounter at Estádio Dr Magalhães Pessoa.
The former Mali and MC Oran FC of Algeria gaffer then spoke about the significance of his side’s clash with Cristiano Ronaldo et al, noting that it is another big step forward in the rebuilding process for the Nigerian team, after missing another FIFA World Cup.
Chelle submitted, “We will play against a big team. Normally, this team can be the next world champions. There are many big players in the team. So, we are very happy to have this chance to play against them. This is a big game for them and for us.
“This is not a question about the result. We played three years ago and we lost. This is not a question about that. The most important objective is to improve at every game. We have to come with a great state of mind and our philosophy.
“We want to take some pleasure in the field. We come with ambitions, with our strengths and weaknesses, and it will be a great game for us for sure. Portugal are preparing for a great competition and they need to be focused on that too.”
Sports247 gathered that the game in the Portuguese city of Leiria will begin at 8:45pm Nigeria time and it will be the hosts’ last match before flying out to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
