Portugal’s head coach, Roberto Martinez, has acknowledged that Nigeria continues to be a formidable and competitive team, even without their key forwards, Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, in the lead-up to their international friendly.
Super Eagles’ manager, Eric Chelle, confirmed that both forwards will be absent from the match following their victory in the Unity Cup, noting that they have been given rest after a strenuous season with their clubs.
Despite the absence of the Galatasaray and Atletico Madrid forwards, Martinez stated that both teams will benefit from the experience gained during this match as Portugal advances its preparations for future competitions.
During his pre-match press conference prior to the encounter with Portugal, Martinez expressed his anticipation for a fiercely competitive match, commending Nigeria’s tactical adaptability and the coach’s capability to implement various systems that accommodate different players.
He also mentioned Nigeria’s recent performances, including their friendly against Poland, characterizing their approach as dynamic and flexible.
“There are numerous factors to consider when facing a team like Congo,” Martinez remarked. “In terms of Nigeria’s forward players, I believe they provide us with valuable insights for defending as a cohesive unit.
“I anticipate a Nigerian team that will be highly competitive. I appreciated the last match against Poland, their most recent friendly. I admire the coach’s philosophy. The diverse systems they employ are well-suited to different players in various positions.”
He highlighted Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi as players he is familiar with, adding that Nigeria’s experience and skill will guarantee a challenging and competitive match for both teams.
“It is evident that players like Osimhen and Lookman are absent. However, they have other athletes who perform at exceptional levels,” he noted.
“I foresee a very competitive game, featuring truly talented players with considerable experience, such as Bassey and Iwobi—individuals I know quite well. It will be a competitive match that will benefit both teams in numerous ways.