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Nigeria’s Super Eagles lost 2‑1 to Portugal in a friendly, but the performance offered encouraging signs. Akor Adams scored his first international goal, while debutant Christian Akpan struggled. Cristiano Ronaldo missed several clear chances, including a one‑on‑one.
Left‑back Zaidu Sanusi made defensive errors, continuing a worrying trend. Alex Iwobi earned his 100th cap, becoming only the fourth Nigerian to reach that milestone. Nigeria competed well against a World Cup favourite.
Key Points:
Ronaldo’s poor finishing kept the scoreline respectable; a sharper striker could have punished Nigeria heavily.
Akor Adams proved he can be a reliable deputy or partner to Victor Osimhen in attack.
Zaidu Sanusi’s repeated defensive lapses suggest Nigeria may need to scout a new left‑back.
Nigeria showed they can compete with elite nations, boosting confidence ahead of the AFCON qualifiers.
Alex Iwobi’s 100th cap milestone underscores his longevity and commitment despite mixed fan opinions.
Coach Eric Chelle must address defensive frailties on the left flank while building on the team’s ability to compete with top‑tier opposition ahead of AFCON 2027 qualifiers.Please kindly click the Read Original Button at the top to read more of the original content of this article. God bless you.
Sources: Soccernet, Pulse Sports
