Super Eagles The Lisbon camp is almost full and only one player is still expected for Thursday’s international friendly against Portugal.
After their first practice session on Monday, the Eagles will continue to prepare for their final game in 2022.
Coach Jose Peseiro invited 23 players for the high-profile friendly against his country and for Tuesday evening, only Spain’s Villarreal, Samuel Chukwueze is still expected in Lisbon.
Team officials, however, assured that Chukwueze would join later.
Two of the players originally invited: Olisah Ndah and Victor Osimhen withdrew from the friendly match with “injuries” and Chidozie Awaziem and Dessers have been replaced.
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Francis Uzoho, Maduka Okoye and Adebayo Adeleye are the three goalkeepers in the camp.
Among the defenders, captain William Troost-Ekong is replaced, along with Chidozie Awaziem, Kevin Akpoguma, Calvin Bassey, Tyronne Ebuehi, Bruno Onyemaechi, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Ebube Duru.
In midfield, the trio of Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo and Joseph Ayodele-Aribo return alongside Frank Onyeka and Alex Iwobi.
Despite Osimh’s absence, Peseiro has decent replacements in Moses Simon, Cyriel Dessers, Terem Moffi, Paul Onuachu, Emmanuel Dennis, Ademola Lookman and the expected Samuel Chukwueze.
Thursday’s encounter at Lisbon’s 50,000-capacity Estádio José Alvalade is the first international between Portugal and Nigeria.
Many are expecting an entertaining clash the day after with Portugal, who are heading to the FIFA World Cup finals in Qatar, and Nigeria looking to rebuild a formidable team after Qatar narrowly missed out on the 2022 World Cup.
Portugal, the 1966 FIFA World Cup bronze medalists and 2016 European champions, should field their preferred starting XI, including five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo and the likes of Bruno Fernandes to play for the Eagles.
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