Portugal’s PSG quartet join squad ahead Super Eagles clash

Portugal have been handed a major boost ahead of Wednesday’s international friendly against Nigeria, with their Paris Saint-Germain quartet, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, João Neves and Gonçalo Ramos, now back with the national team.

The four players linked up with Roberto Martínez’s squad on Saturday, just days before Portugal face the Super Eagles at the Estádio Dr Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria.

They had earlier missed Portugal’s opening training sessions after helping PSG defeat Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League final the previous weekend.

Mendes, Vitinha and Neves started the final, while Ramos was introduced late in the second half. Portuguese outlet, A Bola, reported that Friday’s session was the last training held without the PSG players, as all four rejoined the squad on Saturday.

Although they were not involved in Portugal’s friendly against Chile at the Estádio Nacional do Jamor, they are expected to be available for the Nigeria clash, depending on their fitness levels.

Portugal coach Roberto Martínez is also expected to have almost his full squad ready for the match, with João Félix gradually returning to fitness after taking part in the opening minutes of Friday’s media-access training session.

The friendly will be only the second senior meeting between Portugal and Nigeria. Their first encounter came on November 17, 2022, in Lisbon, where Portugal hammered the Super Eagles 4-0. Bruno Fernandes scored twice, while Gonçalo Ramos and João Mário also found the net. Nigeria missed a penalty through Emmanuel Dennis.

This time, Eric Chelle’s Super Eagles head into the game after retaining the Unity Cup in London, following wins over Zimbabwe and Jamaica. They also played out a 2-2 draw with Poland in Warsaw, a match in which they led twice.

However, striker Terem Moffi has admitted that facing Portugal will be a much tougher test.

“We had a good game against Poland, and I am happy I scored. However, I think Portugal will be a very difficult test for the Super Eagles,” Moffi said.

Portugal players have also stressed the importance of the fixture, with goalkeeper José Sá and defender Ruben Dias saying the game will help the team sharpen their tactical approach ahead of the World Cup.

Portugal have been drawn in the same World Cup group with DR Congo, Colombia and Uzbekistan.

Nigeria, meanwhile, will be without some key names for the encounter. Captain Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman withdrew from the squad due to the demands of a long club season, while Ola Aina was left out after missing the closing stages of his club campaign through injury.