International Football
THE FINAL HOUR FOR FINAL DRAW IS HERE
BY KUNLE SOLAJA, seven consecutive World Cup reporter.
This Friday the 32 teams for the 2018 World Cup will know their group stage opponents and would then begin to plan strategies of crossing the group stage into round of 16, then the quarter finals, the semi finals and then the ultimate challenge for the prized World Cup trophy.
A journey that began on March 12, 2015 with six qualifiers in the Asian Zone gets to an anti-climax as the 32 teams that survived the preliminary competition wait the pairing of teams to contest for the most coveted sport prize – the FIFA World Cup.
At the 1961-built State Kremlin in the famous Red Square, which is considered the heart of Russia, on the land of a medieval fortress, the 32 teams will get to know how their fates will be shaped when the World Cup kicks off next year June.
The ceremony is potentially colourful with a galaxy of stars already set. Sports Village Square gathered from FIFA that 1,400 guests are expected. The number of delegates expected is put at 260 while the FIFA team to the 21st World Cup FIFA Draw is put at 150 that of the Local Organising Committee is 450 and there will be 465 volunteers helping out.
The whole event is to last precisely an hour. Owing to the global nature of the event as it is going to be televised worldwide, 18 professional interpreters have been engaged to translate the content of the event into five languages – English, German, Spanish, French and Russian.
At the end of the anticipated fun-filled programme, the 32 teams would have been split into eight groups of four for the first round matches. Russia, the host, is the only team which group is known. It will head Group A as A1.
In the beginning, there will be four pots of eight teams from where the countries will be drawn.
Russia will be in Group A and will draw oppositions from the other 31 teams outside the other seven seeded countries in Pot 1.
The other seeded countries, which selections is based on the October monthly ranking, not November as may have been expected, are Germany; Brazil; Portugal; Argentina; Belgium; Poland and France.
In essence, the Super Eagles will face one of the eight seeded teams. Followers of the Super Eagles will wish that the team should draw either Poland or Belgium.
If past draws are anything to go by, Nigeria will either draw a South American team and two European sides or a team each from South America, Europe and either Asia or North America. Will Nigeria draw Argentina again? The possibility looms large.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles put up a spirited performance but were edged 2-1 by Portugal in an international friendly at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The match served as Portugal’s final tune-up ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America and offered the Nigerians a chance to test themselves against one of Europe’s leading sides led by veteran captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Portugal drew first blood in the 23rd minute when Pedro Neto broke the deadlock, firing past Nigerian goalkeeper Maduka Okoye after a lively opening period in which both teams created opportunities.
The Super Eagles responded positively and were rewarded eight minutes before halftime when striker Akor Adams found the equaliser. The goal capped an impressive Nigerian fightback and ensured the teams went into the break level at 1-1.
Ronaldo, making a rare appearance against Nigeria, started the match and remained on the pitch until the 67th minute. The 41-year-old was given a standing ovation by the home crowd when he was replaced by Gonçalo Ramos.
Portugal made several changes after the interval as coach Roberto Martinez rotated his squad in preparation for the World Cup. Despite the substitutions, the hosts continued to press for a winner.
Their persistence paid off in the 75th minute when Francisco Conceição struck the decisive goal, restoring Portugal’s lead and ultimately securing victory for the European side.
Nigeria battled to find another equaliser in the closing stages but Portugal’s defence held firm to preserve the 2-1 result.
The defeat means Portugal have now won both meetings between the two countries. Their first encounter came in Lisbon in November 2022, when the Portuguese recorded a convincing 4-0 victory in a pre-World Cup friendly.
While the result will disappoint Nigerian supporters, the Super Eagles can take encouragement from their resilient display against one of the teams widely tipped to make a strong impact at the World Cup. Akor Adams’ goal and Nigeria’s competitive showing against a star-studded Portuguese side provided positive signs as the team continues its rebuilding process under the national team set-up.
For Portugal, the victory provides a confidence boost as they head to North America, where they hope their talented midfield and experienced squad can propel them to a successful World Cup campaign.
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Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo will be in the starting line-up when the Selecao take on Nigeria in an international friendly match which kicks off in a few minutes tonight.
The 41-year-old forward, who remains a key figure in the Portuguese national team, has been named among the starters as Portugal continue preparations for upcoming competitive fixtures.
Ronaldo’s inclusion is expected to add further excitement to the encounter, with Nigerian fans eager to see one of football’s greatest players in action against the Super Eagles.
The match offers Nigeria another opportunity to test themselves against top European opposition, while Portugal will look to sharpen their squad ahead of future international assignments.
Kick-off is scheduled for later tonight, with both teams expected to field strong line-ups in what promises to be an entertaining contest.
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By Kunle Solaja
Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Portugal will meet for only the second time at the senior level when they clash in an international friendly in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The encounter comes under remarkably similar circumstances to their first meeting in November 2022, when Portugal defeated Nigeria 4-0 in Lisbon just days before the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Once again, Portugal are using Nigeria as their final warm-up match before the World Cup. Four years ago, the Portuguese selected the Super Eagles to prepare for a group-stage clash against Ghana, the team that denied Nigeria a place at Qatar 2022.
History appears to be repeating itself. This time, Portugal are preparing for a World Cup opening fixture against the Democratic Republic of Congo, another team that shattered Nigeria’s World Cup ambitions by eliminating the Super Eagles from the qualification race.
The match at the 29,000-capacity Estádio Dr Magalhães Pessoa offers Nigeria an opportunity to avenge the heavy defeat suffered four years ago and test themselves against one of Europe’s strongest sides.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has assembled a star-studded squad featuring five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rafael Leão and João Félix.
The Portuguese head into the encounter unbeaten in their last four matches, having recorded victories over the United States and Chile while drawing with Mexico.
Nigeria, under coach Eric Chelle, have also enjoyed an impressive run. Since taking charge 15 months ago, the Franco-Malian tactician has overseen 24 matches and suffered only one defeat in regulation time.
With both teams carrying impressive recent records, Wednesday’s friendly promises to be far more competitive than the scoreline from their last meeting suggests.
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