August 04, (THEWILL) – In a proposed international friendly in September, Nigeria will take on Portugal, the 2016 European champions.
Muhammad Sanusi, Secretary General of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), disclosed this, revealing that it will take the place of the previously scheduled Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Guinea Bissau at the next FIFA international break.
As THEWILL previously reported, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) pushed back the AFCON qualifiers to March 2023, making the NFF get busy organising replacement Grade A friendlies for the Eagles. Sanusi said negotiations with the Portuguese FA for the friendly between the two national men’s teams have advanced positively.
He noted: “We are working on arranging a grade A friendly game with Portugal ahead of the next FIFA window. Following the postponement of the AFCON, a friendly game is necessary for the Eagles. Arrangements are in full gear and we are close to finalising the details. Once that is done, a statement will be released by the Nigeria Football Federation.”
Despite playing each other three times at the U-20 World Cup, with Portugal winning all three encounters, this will be Nigeria and Portugal’s first senior-level match.
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Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
