- …As illness rules Ronaldo out of prestige friendly
Super Eagles manager, Jose Santos Peseiro, has expressed his readiness to test a number of new players against star-studded Portugal in today’s prestige international friendly in Lisbon.
Consequently, the Portuguese coach has called on the three-time African champions to show guts, grit and gumption by aiming for victory over hosts.
Both countries’ A squads go for each other’s jugular at the 50,000 -capacity Estádio José Alvalade in what is the first senior international clash between them, as from 6.45pm Portugal time (7.45pm Nigeria time).
“Sincerely, I am wishing that this is a FIFA World Cup group stage match, because I tell you, that is the level at which Nigeria should be playing. Even though that is not the case, our objective is to go out there and win.
“It is good that we are playing big teams. I am enamoured by that, because this is good for the team and it will sharpen the team to achieve our goal of winning the next Africa Cup of Nations. We also have the opportunity to test a number of players.”
Peseiro has 23 players to pick from in what is perhaps his biggest test since resuming as Nigeria’s manager in the summer. Goalkeepers Maduka Okoye, Francis Uzoho and Adebayo Adeleye are in Lisbon, just as defenders William Ekong, Chidozie Awaziem, Kevin Akpoguma, Calvin Bassey, Tyronne Ebuehi, Bruno Onyemaechi, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Ebube Duru.
In the midfield, the options are Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi and Joseph Ayodele-Aribo.
At the fore, Peseiro will be able to pick among France -based duo of Moses Simon and Terem Moffi, Belgium-based Paul Onuachu, Emmanuel Dennis, Cyriel Dessers, Ademola Lookman and Samuel Chukwueze.
Meanwhile, five-time Ballon d’Or winner and captain of Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo, who missed training yesterday due to a stomach bug won’t feature in today’s friendly.
“He is suffering from gastroenteritis and will not train today for this reason,” his coach Fernando Santos told a press conference in Lisbon.
“He won’t be ready (to face Nigeria), he’s resting, as you know, gastritis takes a lot out of players.”
By David Ngobua with agency report
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