It was November 17, 2022. The venue was the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon, and within 45 minutes, the Super Eagles were already broken.By the time the final whistle sounded, Portugal had beaten Nigeria 4-0 in a pre-World Cup friendly that felt less like a warmup and less like a warning, and more like a verdict.
Four years on, a different Super Eagles side is preparing to face Portugal again. This time in Lisbon on June 10, this time with Cristiano Ronaldo in the opposing lineup for the first time in history, and this time with something to prove that goes far beyond a friendly result.
Eric Chelle has spent the better part of two years quietly rebuilding. The numbers support the work. Nigeria have gone 23 matches without a defeat in regulation time under the Malian tactician, a run that includes a 2-2 draw with Poland in Warsaw just days ago, achieved without Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman. The team’s defense looks more organized, and the squad depth is better than it has been in years
But the Portugal they’re about to face is no joke. Roberto Martínez has called up a full-strength squad. Bruno Fernandes comes in after breaking the Premier League’s all-time assists record and playing the best football of his career. He was the main driver of that 4-0 demolition in 2022, and there’s no reason to think he’ll be any less dangerous now. With Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva, Gonçalo Ramos and João Félix around him, Nigeria can’t afford to switch off at the back.
