Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle thinks Nigerias friendly match against Portugal will help his team see how they stack up against one of the teams in the world.
The Super Eagles will play Portugal on Wednesday at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria. Portugal is using this match to prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Miami.
Nigeria is feeling good about the match having not lost in six games under Chelle.. Chelle knows his team will face a tough challenge against Portugal, which has many top players.
Before the match Chelle said playing against Portugal is a test for his players. They want to keep improving and playing the way he wants them to.
“We are playing against a team. They could be the world champions ” Chelle said at a press conference.
“There are great players on their team so we are happy to play against them. This is a match for them and for us the Super Eagles.”
This match reminds Nigerians of the game against Portugal in 2022, which Nigeria lost 4-0.
Chelle says that result does not matter now.
“Now I have to focus on my players, how we want to play and our philosophy ” he said.
“We played against them three years ago and lost. That is not important now.”
For Nigeria the goal is to keep getting better, play and keep their momentum going against a top team, like Portugal, and the Super Eagles.
