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Portugal host Nigeria Today in Lisbon
Super Eagles’ Manager, Jose Peseiro, has promised to field a competitive team in Nigeria’s international friendly against Portugal in Lisbon, today.
Portugal is hosting Nigeria in their last test game before their opening game of the Qatar 2022 World Cup against Ghana on Thursday, next week.
The 2016 European champions have been preparing their challenge for the only international competition they are yet to win.
With one of the world’s best stars of his generation, Cristiano Ronaldo, nearing the end of his career, Portugal sees Qatar 2022 as a good opportunity to join the only six countries to win the World Cup.
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And they believe the Super Eagles will give them the right gauge of their readiness for the Copa du Mundo.
But, Peseiro, a Portuguese, does not believe the Super Eagles will give the Europeans a chance to brag into the World Cup.
Speaking on the game, Peseiro said: “Playing against my nation, the best in the world, which can win the World Cup, is extraordinary. But it is also a great opportunity: When you want to create a national team, with great goals, you have to do it against great opponents. For now, we have played Mexico and Ecuador in America and then against Algeria.
“The path must be this, if you want to improve the national team, you must play against tough teams, go through defeats that prepare you for the future.”
Nigeria will be facing Ronaldo, who is eager to exit the stage on a high and Peseiro sees his presence in the Portuguese team as a great challenge and also a motivation for his team.
“In the last 20 years, Ronaldo has contributed to making Portugal one of the best teams in the world. He is a great motivator, who makes every team he plays for better.
“It is a great opportunity for my players to gauge their game against some of the best in the world, not only Ronaldo.
“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.”
Apart from Ronaldo, the Eagles will also meet some of the greatest stars in the game on the Portuguese side.
These include Bernardo Silva, Jaoa Felix, Ruben Neves, Rafael Leao, Andre Silva, Ruben Dias, Pepe, Bruno Fernandes, Rui Patricio and Jaoa Cancelo, among others.
In the absence of Victor Osimhen, who withdrew from the game, Nigeria has a lineup of budding stars, who are eager to make names for themselves.
Apart from the established stars like Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo, William Troost-Ekong, Joe Aribo, Francis Uzoho, Calvin Bassey and Maduka Okoye, Peseiro has also given some new players the opportunity to stake their claim to permanent jerseys in the team.
They are Bruno Onyemaechi, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Ebube Duru.
The match, which is the first senior international between Nigeria and Portugal, will hold at the 50,000-capacity Estádio José Alvalade from 6.45 p.m. Portugal time (7.45 p.m. Nigeria time).
President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday arrived in Katsina to receive the remains of the former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away in London on Sunday at the age of 82.
Just hours before the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari, heartfelt tributes have continued to pour in from beneficiaries of his many charitable deeds, with many describing him as a man who never turned his back on the needy.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, Aminu Daura, a respected community elder, recalled how Buhari consistently provided foodstuffs during Ramadan for families, friends, widows, and orphans in his hometown.
“He never made noise about it, but many homes had food on their tables during fasting period because of him,” Daura said.
Abdullahi Sani, a physically-challenged man who received a tricycle from the Buhari Foundation in 2021, was overcome with emotion while speaking to NAN.
“I can move around and feed my family today because of Baba Buhari. I pray to Allah to reward him for giving hope to people like me,” he said, in tears.
Hajiya Fatima Yahaya, another resident, remembered Buhari’s acts of kindness during festive seasons.
“Even after he left office, his aides ensured that the usual support still reached us every year. He always remember his people,” she said, referring to his distribution of Sallah rams and food items to indigent families during Eid celebrations.
Other residents of Daura also shared memories of how the late former president quietly paid school fees and medical bills for struggling families, actions rarely publicized.
“Some of us benefited from his silent interventions. He was a true father and a great figure in the society,” said Ali Saidu.
On Monday night, Imams across various mosques in Daura held special Qur’anic recitations, praying for the forgiveness of Buhari’s sins and his eternal peace.
The Chief Imam of Daura Central Mosque, Sheikh Musa Kofar Barau, described Buhari as a humble leader whose legacy of service and compassion would remain alive in the hearts of the people.
Buhari is scheduled to be buried later on Tuesday in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, in line with Islamic rites. The community is bracing to welcome thousands of mourners from across Nigeria and beyond.
His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco has extended heartfelt condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the family of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, and the entire Nigerian people following Buhari’s death.
In a message of sympathy, the Moroccan monarch described the passing of the former Nigerian leader as a “sad occurrence,” expressing deep sorrow over the loss.
King Mohammed VI hailed Buhari as “an illustrious leader who worked untiringly to serve his country’s best interests and lead his people toward further progress and prosperity.”
He added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the bereaved. I share your grief and want you to know how much I appreciated the working sessions I had with the deceased.”
Reflecting on their bilateral engagements, the king noted that his collaboration with Buhari led to the launch of promising development projects, “ushering a new era grounded in friendship and close cooperation between our two sister nations.”
Tinubu arrives Katsina to receive Buhari’s body for burial
“He Never Turned His Back on the Needy” — Tributes Pour In Ahead of Buhari’s Burial
King Mohammed VI Mourns Buhari, Praises Legacy of Nigeria’s Former Leader
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