The Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi has expressed strong confidence ahead of Nigeria’s international friendly clash against Portugal, insisting the team is fully prepared to test itself against one of Europe’s top football nations as they continue their rebuilding phase under head coach Eric Chelle.
Nigeria will face Portugal on Wednesday in Leiria in a match widely viewed as a major test of progress for the Super Eagles.
The team heads into the encounter in encouraging form, having gone unbeaten in most of their recent matches under Chelle, with just one regulation-time defeat recorded in over 20 games since his appointment in 2025.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Ndidi acknowledged the strength of the Portuguese squad, led by global icon Cristiano Ronaldo, but insisted Nigeria are not intimidated by the opposition.
“It will be a very good test for us. We already had a good test against Poland, and Portugal is also a great team with great players,” Ndidi said.
He added that the fixture represents more than just a friendly, describing it as an important benchmark for the team’s growth, structure, and long-term ambitions under the current coaching setup.
“It is a massive test for us as a group, for our vision and for our growth. We don’t care who we are playing. Even if it is one of the biggest countries in the world, what matters is that we are ready to win,” he stated.
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The Leicester City midfielder also stressed the importance of sticking to the team’s tactical identity and philosophy, regardless of the strength of the opposition.
The encounter gives Eric Chelle another opportunity to assess his squad against elite European competition as Nigeria continue rebuilding after missing out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
With confidence rising within the camp, the Super Eagles will be hoping to back up their captain’s words with a strong performance on the pitch against Portugal.
