₦airaland Forum

Dantesi:
For some Nigerian fans, the moment they hear "Portugal," their minds immediately travel back to that painful 4-0 defeat in Lisbon four years ago. The names Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva still carry a certain fear factor. But football does not stand still, and this Super Eagles team is no longer the same side that was humiliated in 2022.
The biggest mistake Nigerian fans can make ahead of next week's friendly is assuming Portugal are unbeatable. Yes, they are a top European side. Yes, they will be preparing for the World Cup. But if Wednesday's draw against Poland taught us anything, it is that Eric Chelle is quietly building a team that refuses to be intimidated.

The Super Eagles have now arrived in Lisbon with confidence growing inside the camp. According to team spokesman Promise Efoghe, 19 players made the trip from Poland, with Alex Iwobi and Genk defender Christian Akpan already joining the squad. Samuel Chukwueze is also expected to arrive shortly, giving Chelle even more attacking options.
Many fans have focused on the late equaliser Nigeria conceded against Poland. While dropping a lead in stoppage time was frustrating, it should not erase the positives from that performance. Away from home, against a European opponent, the Eagles controlled large parts of the game and looked dangerous whenever they attacked.

Terem Moffi and Paul Onuachu both found the net, while Wilfred Ndidi once again showed why he remains one of the most important leaders in the squad. For long periods, Nigeria looked like the better team. One spectacular strike from distance should not suddenly turn a good performance into a disaster.
What makes this Portugal game interesting is that the pressure is completely on the hosts. Portugal are heading to the World Cup and will want to convince their supporters that they are genuine contenders. Nigeria, meanwhile, can play with freedom and use the occasion to test new combinations ahead of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
There is also a growing belief that Chelle's style is beginning to take shape. The Super Eagles no longer look like a collection of talented individuals waiting for moments of magic. There appears to be a clearer structure, better pressing and more willingness to keep possession under pressure.
The arrival of Alex Iwobi could be particularly important. Few Nigerian players are better at connecting midfield and attack. When Iwobi is confident, the entire team tends to play with more rhythm and creativity. Combined with Chukwueze's direct running and Moffi's movement, Nigeria have enough weapons to trouble any defence.

Some fans argue that Portugal's superior quality means the result is already decided. That mentality is exactly what Nigerian football needs to abandon. This is the same country that defeated Argentina at youth level, shocked defending champions in AFCON tournaments and consistently produced players capable of starring in Europe's biggest leagues.
Let's also not forget that Portugal themselves have weaknesses. Their defence has looked vulnerable against quick transitions, and several of their veteran stars are approaching the latter stages of their careers. If Nigeria presses aggressively and takes its chances, this match could become far more uncomfortable for the hosts than many expect.

The bigger picture is that these friendlies are about building a winning culture after the disappointment of missing the 2026 World Cup. Nobody can change what happened in the qualifiers. What matters now is creating a team capable of dominating Africa again and returning stronger for future tournaments.
So can Nigeria beat Portugal? Absolutely. It will not be easy, and Portugal will start as favourites. But football is not played on reputation. With Iwobi, Chukwueze and the rest of the squad joining a confident group already in Lisbon, Super Eagles fans have every reason to believe an upset is possible. The fear factor is gone. Now it is time to see whether this new-look Nigeria can back up the confidence on the pitch.

https://thenationonlineng.net/intl-friendly-21-super-eagles-now-in-lisbon-for-portugal-test/

This your write up too long,thunder wey go fire you

RIALITI:
I think the solution to this current problem is for Nigerians to stage a protest that "No security in Nigeria, No elections come 2027". All Nigerians should make it known to this polithiefcians that even when the tenure of this current administration runs out without any end to insecurity the military must take over.

It is obvious that we can't fight this insurgency with our paforated compromised democratic system. The current situation is a war not dialogue and only the military answers that perfectly. What these polithiefcians are doing now is fighting cancer with paracetamol.

NOTE: It is time to put on hold party rulership in this country, let only an entity that can wage war against external and internal enemies take stage until we return to where we once belong.

Since you are sponsored by the APC.The thunder wey go fire you still dey do press up

HacheNoire:
The EU is a very unserious union!

Despite the energy challenges they are experiencing, they still had to waste electricity to power a microphone for Peter!

Is it that they do not have top priorities other than listening to the fictions they are being told.

Moreover, Peter should reduce his carbon footprint . Burning aviation fuel across the globe still won’t make you win! Your defeat is already a constant.

The thunder wey go fire you still dey gym

SHIVA001:
True talk we should accomodate each other, igbos don’t really like theirselves in their homelands main reason why Dey move to other part of the country or world for trading. Na fear of being killed at home when u are already excelling. Use to make them come to Lagos.
When u don’t even like yourselves u want other trybe to like and accept you…hmm okay ooo

.

The kind of crap you are writing about igbos.Dont let me invoke thunder wey go fire you

Thunder fire people who believe this lies

I don't believe this .Thunder wey go fire you still dey do press up

The thunder wey go fire Datti and Donald Duke still dey inside gym dey do press up

The thunder wey go fire them still dey do press up

Donald Duke messed up when he troubled GEJ.Now he is a nobody .Peter Obi will beat him hands down. In a free and fair election

Thunder fire Tenant wey fight landlord

The thunder wey go fire the killers still dey do press up

Thunder fire Sowore

AguluLiar:
Ask Agulu Obi the same question

Thunder fire you there

akingangan:
The question is, would a Yoruba or Igbo man be deep inside the forest in Sokoto

The thunder wey go fire you never leave gym

Thunder faua her for ever

Why waste time when you know you will not win

The thunder wey go fire am still dey do press up

Thunder fire the entire lawmakers

The thunder wey go fire Tinubu still dey do press up

The thunder wey go fire Trump still dey do press up

Thunder fire Donald Trump

Thunder fire Odinkalu

Thunder fire the entire liverpool board

omoredia:
Very good move. These same people supported Tinubu. Excellent

Thunder fire you there .Who told you they supported bulabalu

NameChecker:
E don dey touch everybody
I don't even know what to say sef

You commented early just to say this? Thunder wey go fire you still dey do pressup

Thunder fire the kidnappers

Out of pity The thunder wey go fire Datti still dey do press up.

Thunder wey go fire the Commissioner still dey do press up

Thunder wey go faya the man still dey do press up

goslowgoslow:
Na wah moderators please how did this comment slip thru? Anyways back to sender.

Na press up the thunder dey do.E go soon 🔥 you