Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi has declared that Nigeria will approach Wednesday night’s international friendly against Portugal without fear, insisting that the team is ready to compete against any opponent in world football.
The Nigerian midfielder made the statement during his pre-match press conference ahead of the highly anticipated encounter at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria.
Portugal are widely regarded as favourites heading into the match, especially with home support and a star-studded squad featuring experienced players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes. Nigeria, meanwhile, will be without key attackers Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman.
Despite the challenge, Ndidi expressed confidence in the Super Eagles’ ability and mindset, stressing that the players remain focused on executing their game plan.
“We believe in ourselves,” the captain said.
“We don’t care who we are playing against, even if it’s one of the biggest countries in the world. What matters most is us as players and as a team.”
The midfielder added that the squad is fully committed to implementing the tactical philosophy and strategy introduced by head coach Eric Chelle.
“Our focus is on ourselves, our style of play and the way we want to approach the game. We are looking forward to taking our philosophy and strategy onto the pitch,” Ndidi stated.
The friendly offers another opportunity for Chelle to assess his squad and continue building momentum as Nigeria prepares for upcoming competitive fixtures.
With both teams eager to make a statement, fans can expect an entertaining contest between the three-time African champions and one of Europe’s football powerhouses.
Advertisement