Portugal vs Nigeria: 3 ways Chelle’s Super Eagles differ from Peseiro’s badly battered lads

Nigeria’s Super Eagles will take on Portugal on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, in a high-profile international friendly at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria, Afrik-Foot reports.

The game serves as an important final test for Portugal before heading to North America for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Roberto Martínez’s squad features global stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and Rafael Leão.

Nigeria, meanwhile, arrive in Portugal after a 2-2 draw with Poland and will be without Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and injured defender Igoh Ogbu. However, Samuel Chukwueze returns to the squad, while Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Terem Moffi, Paul Onuachu and Moses Simon are available.

The fixture also brings back memories of the nations’ only previous senior meeting, when Portugal defeated Nigeria 4-0 in Lisbon on November 17, 2022. Nearly four years later, the Super Eagles are a very different team.

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal. Copyright: xSergioxMendesxImago

A new tactical identity under Eric Chelle

The biggest change since that defeat is the man in charge. Back in 2022, José Peseiro set Nigeria up in a defensive 4-5-1 formation with Terem Moffi leading the line. Ademola Lookman, Joe Aribo, William Troost-Ekong and Kevin Akpoguma all featured, while Bright Osayi-Samuel made his Super Eagles debut.

Only a handful of players from that starting lineup – including Calvin Bassey, Moses Simon, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Moffi – are expected to start again against Portugal.

Since taking charge 15 months ago, Eric Chelle has introduced a more organised and disciplined structure. Nigeria are expected to line up in a 4-4-2 diamond system, with Moffi and Akor Adams potentially forming a two-man attack.

Rather than sitting deep and absorbing pressure as they did in Lisbon, the Super Eagles are expected to press aggressively, cover ground quickly and make life difficult for Portugal’s creative players.

Super Eagles boss Eric Chelle. Photo by Icon Sport

Speaking ahead of the match, Chelle insisted the focus is not on revenge.

“Now I have to stay focused on my players, about the philosophy and the way we want to play this game. This is not a question about the result. We played three years ago and we lost. This is not a question about that.”

Greater stability in goal

Another major difference can be found between the posts. Francis Uzoho started against Portugal in 2022 and endured a difficult evening as Nigeria conceded four times. At the time, the Super Eagles were still searching for a reliable first-choice goalkeeper.

That situation has changed significantly. Stanley Nwabali established himself as Nigeria’s number one during the past two years, although he is unavailable for this fixture. Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has returned to the national team setup and is expected to start, while Arthur Okonkwo provides additional competition.

Uzoho remains part of the squad, but Nigeria now possess greater depth and confidence in the goalkeeping department than they did four years ago.

The expectation is that Okoye’s command of his area, distribution and communication with the defence will provide more assurance against a Portugal attack led by Ronaldo and Fernandes.

Nigeria and Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye. Copyright: xAndrzejxIwanczukx IMAGO

A stronger mentality and clearer purpose

Perhaps the most important change is psychological. Nigeria approached the 2022 friendly in poor form after failing to qualify for the Qatar World Cup. Before facing Portugal, the Super Eagles had lost consecutive matches against Ghana, Algeria and Costa Rica. The struggles continued afterwards with a home defeat to Guinea-Bissau.

The mood surrounding the team could hardly be more different now. Although Nigeria narrowly missed out on qualification for the 2026 World Cup after a painful CAF playoff defeat to DR Congo on penalties, Chelle’s side have remained unbeaten in regulation time for more than a year under his leadership.

The team also secured a third-place finish at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, restoring confidence and belief within the squad. As a result, Wednesday’s clash is not viewed as a damage-control exercise but as another opportunity to test themselves against elite opposition.

Super Eagles. Copyright: ImagoxGrzegorzxWajdax

Chelle made it clear that Nigeria travel to Leiria with ambition rather than fear.

“We play against a big team, normally this team can be the next world champions. There are many big teams in the team, so we are very happy to have this chance to play against them, so this is a big game for them and for us.”

The former Mali coach also stressed that continuous improvement remains the priority.

“The most important thing, goal or objective is to improve at every game so we have to come to the game with a great state of mind, and our philosophy.”

He added:

“We want to take some pleasure in the field, but we are not a little partner. We come with ambitions, with our strengths and weaknesses, and it will be a great game for us for sure. Portugal are preparing for a great competition and need to be focused on that too.”

A lot clearly has changed about the Super Eagles since 2022. Nigeria may still be underdogs against a Portugal side led by Ronaldo, but Chelle’s Super Eagles head into the contest with a clearer identity, stronger belief and far greater tactical structure than the team that left Lisbon empty-handed four years ago.

Kick-off is scheduled for 8:45pm (Nigerian time).