Super Eagles’ coach, Eric Sekou Chelle has been warned that his side will find it difficult to defeat Portugal when both sides meet in a pre-World Cup international friendly next month, Sports247 reports.
This verdict was issued by a football buff from Portugal, Tiago Conde, who disclosed in an exclusive interview with Sports247 that the array of stars in his country’s national team is higher than those with the Super Eagles.
Conde reasoned further that, although the Super Eagles also have their own fair share of top players – like Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman – the three-time African champions don’t have enough pedigree to stop Portugal, who he rated among the world’s best four teams.
Conde, who is currently the technical director at Ogun State Federation Cup winners, Beyond Limit Football Academy of Ikenne, added: “It’s a friendly game, but it will be difficult for Nigeria to score one goal.
“It will also be difficult for Portugal to score, because Nigeria has good defenders. That means it will be a good test to determine if Portugal is ready for the World Cup or not.
“Nigeria have very good players like Lookman, Osimhen and others. Their style is mostly individual instead of collective. It’s a difficult style to stop, but it’s not the best.
“Nigeria are also difficult to defeat because they have many talents in their team, but Portugal still have more top players who are doing well with many big clubs in Europe.”
He also looked at the continued relevance of Cristiano Ronaldo in Portugal’s national team and, though Conde admitted the record setting attacking icon is not as sharp as he used to be, he insists the Sporting Lisbon product remains a huge source of inspiration for the Iberians.
“We cannot rule Ronaldo out yet, because a player must not be judged only by his ability on the field. We should look at his character, his role as a leader, and his records.
“That’s what we have in C. Ronaldo. His story and his past speak for him. If you want to judge him as he was 20 years ago, we know he’s not the same C. Ronaldo.
“Of course, not even from 10 years ago. But, for now, he can still do things that those younger than him cannot do,” Conde reasoned about the Saudi Arabia-based legend, who has five Ballon d’Or awards.
Conde concluded with a view that Portugal has what it takes to win this year’s FIFA World Cup in USA, Canada and Mexico, as most of the countries that were very formidable in the past are not as strong as they used to be and they will no longer pose any serious stumbling block to his country.
“It’s true that we have not been able to win the World Cup with all our top players. That’s because countries like Brazil, Argentina, France, Italy and Spain also have good players.
“Now that Italy is not there and other countries are not that strong again, Portugal has a better chance. We have players who can win the World Cup this year.
“Although other countries also have good players, I believe we are one of the four best teams going there this year. We have talent, we have players, and we have desire. I think this is our year to win it,” Conde affirmed.
Sports247 reports further that the latest friendly between Nigeria and Portugal will come up on June 10th at Munical Stadium in the city of Leiria (also known as Dr Magalhas Pessoa Arena).
The last time both countries played a similar game, Manchester United midfielder, Bruno Fernández scored two of the goals in a 4-0 win for Portugal on November 17th, 2022 at Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon.
Ronaldo did not feature in that game, but he is expected to play a key role this time, as Portugal aim to get a feel of African style ahead of their clash with DR Congo in Group K of this year’s World Cup, where they will also face Uzbekistan and Colombia.
