Head Coach, José Santos Peseiro, has the full compliment of invited players as three-time African champions, Nigeria, get set for what could be a fiery international friendly with Portugal in Lisbon, tomorrow.
In camp are goalkeepers Francis Uzoho, Maduka Okoye and
Adebayo Adeleye; defenders William Ekong, Chidozie Awaziem, Kevin Akpoguma, Calvin
Bassey, Tyronne Ebuehi, Bruno Onyemaechi, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Ebube Duru;
as well as midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo, Frank Onyeka, Alex
Iwobi and Joseph Ayodele-Aribo.
The forwards in the camp are Moses Simon, Cyriel Dessers,
Terem Moffi, Paul Onuachu, Emmanuel Dennis and Ademola Lookman. Forward Samuel
Chukwueze was being expected last night.
Tomorrow’s encounter at the 50,000-capacity Estádio José
Alvalade in Lisbon is the first-ever full international between both countries,
and it promises fireworks with Portugal heading to the FIFA World Cup finals in
Qatar the following day and Nigeria eager to blood a crop of new frontliners
after failing to make the train to Qatar.
Top scorer, Victor Osimhen, is out injured but Peseiro can
still call on on-fire Belgium-based Onuachu, the nifty Dessers, dependable
Moses Simon, France-based Moffi and the Italy-based winger Lookman.
Portugal, 1966 FIFA World Cup bronze medallists and
champions of Europe six years ago, will no doubt roll out their full arsenal,
including five-time Ballon D’Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo – unarguably one of
the best to have played the game.