By Kunle Solaja

Nigeria coach Eric Chelle will put his impressive record on the line when the Super Eagles face Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal in an international friendly on Wednesday.

Since assuming control of the national team 15 months ago, Chelle has transformed the Super Eagles into a difficult side to beat. The Franco-Malian coach has supervised 24 matches and suffered only one defeat in normal time.

That record will be severely tested against a Portuguese side brimming with quality and confidence ahead of the FIFA World Cup.

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has every reason to be optimistic. His team are unbeaten in their last four outings and possess one of the strongest squads heading to the World Cup finals.

The Seleção das Quinas will rely on the experience of Cristiano Ronaldo and the creativity of Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva, while Ruben Dias marshals a defence that has been difficult to break down.

Nigeria will be without star forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, but Chelle still has significant attacking options in Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Paul Onuachu, Akor Adams and Terem Moffi.

The Eagles have also received encouraging news with the availability of defenders Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey and Emmanuel Fernandez despite the injury-enforced departure of Igoh Ogbu from camp.

A positive result in Leiria would further strengthen belief in Chelle’s methods and provide another indication that the Super Eagles are moving in the right direction under his leadership.

Kick-off is scheduled for 8:45 p.m. in both Portugal and Nigeria.

NIGERIA’S LAST FIVE MATCHES

• Iran I Nigeria 2 (International Friendly: 27/03/26)
• Jordan 2 Nigeria 2 (International Friendly: 31/03/26)
• Nigeria 2 Zimbabwe 0 (Unity Cup 2026: 26/05/26)
• Jamaica 0 Nigeria 3 (Unity Cup 2026: 30/05/26)
• Poland 2 Nigeria 2 (International Friendly: 03/06/26)

PORTUGAL’S LAST FIVE MATCHES

• Ireland 2 Portugal 0 (2026 World Cup Qualifier: 13/11/25)
• Portugal 9 Armenia 1 (2026 World Cup Qualifier: 16/11/25)
• Mexico 0 Portugal 0 (International Friendly: 29/03/26)
• USA 0 Portugal 2 (International Friendly: 01/04/26)
• Portugal 2 Chile 1 (International Friendly: 06/06/26)

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

By Kunle Solaja

Alexander Iwobi will join an elite group of Nigerian footballers this Wednesday when he earns his 100th international cap in the Super Eagles’ friendly against Portugal in Leiria.

The midfielder will be honoured before kick-off at the Estádio Dr Magalhães Pessoa as he reaches the significant landmark in a career that has spanned more than a decade with the national team.

Iwobi’s milestone provides an additional layer of significance to a high-profile encounter against a Portuguese side packed with global stars and preparing for the FIFA World Cup.

The former Arsenal player is expected to play a central role in coach Eric Chelle’s plans as Nigeria seeks a positive result against Roberto Martinez’s men.

Captain Wilfred Ndidi is likely to partner Iwobi in midfield, with Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Tochukwu Nnadi among the options available to complete the engine room.

Despite the absence of key attackers Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, Chelle, according to a press release by the NFF, remains optimistic. Samuel Chukwueze has returned after missing the recent friendly against Poland, while Moses Simon, Paul Onuachu, Terem Moffi and Akor Adams are available.

The Super Eagles coach will also draw confidence from the recent performances of Philip Otele, whose displays at the Unity Cup in London and against Poland have earned widespread praise.

Iwobi’s century appearance will place him among the most-capped players in Nigeria’s football history and provide added motivation for the Super Eagles as they seek to upset one of Europe’s most talented squads.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has expressed deep appreciation to Nigerians at home and across the diaspora as he prepares to make his 100th appearance for the national team in Wednesday’s international friendly against Portugal in Leiria.

The Fulham star, who will become only the fourth Nigerian player to reach the century mark in international appearances, said he remains proud of his decision to represent Nigeria despite having featured for England at youth level.

“I am proud to be where I am today; proud to wear the green-and-white,” Iwobi said. “I am grateful to everyone, including the coach who called me up to the team for the first time. I have no regrets choosing Nigeria.”

Iwobi made his senior debut for Nigeria on October 8, 2015, in a friendly match against DR Congo in Visé, Belgium. Incidentally, it remains a notable date in Nigerian football history. October 8 marks the anniversary of Nigeria’s first-ever international match, and over the decades, it has often brought good fortune to the national team. The defeat to DR Congo was only the second loss Nigeria had suffered on that date in 77 years of international football.

Remarkably, 128 months after that debut, Iwobi—nephew of Nigerian football icon Austin “Jay-Jay” Okocha—is set to celebrate his 100th cap in another friendly match on European soil.

Reflecting on the journey that has taken him from a promising youngster to one of Nigeria’s most experienced internationals, the 30-year-old revealed that he always felt a strong connection to his roots.

“I first went to the Nigeria U23 team camp and felt at home. I had represented England at youth level but always felt Nigeria was home,” he explained. “My father always told me to go out there and enjoy my football, and make the decision that I felt was good for me. He was part of the decision, but he didn’t force it down on me.”

Despite reaching a milestone achieved by only a select few Nigerian players, Iwobi remains humble about his place in the game’s history.

“After 10 years and eight months, I won’t say I am a legend; I only see myself as a Super Eagles player. It feels great to be looking at a 100th cap and, on a lighter note, I wish I could add another 100 caps. I have enjoyed my time with the Super Eagles.”

Among his many memories in national colours, Iwobi singled out his decisive goal against Zambia in Uyo in October 2017 as the most memorable moment of his international career. The strike sealed Nigeria’s qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

“I loved the occasion because my dad and my mum were both at the stadium and saw it all, and we celebrated together afterwards. It was an exciting moment,” he recalled.

While he acknowledged that winning the Africa Cup of Nations and featuring at the 2026 FIFA World Cup would have further enriched his career, he remains content with his journey.

“Yes, I would have loved to win the AFCON and perhaps be with the Eagles at the FIFA World Cup that is about to kick off in a few days, but no regrets.”

Iwobi’s father, Barrister Chuka Iwobi, described the family’s pride in the midfielder’s achievement and thanked Nigeria for the opportunity afforded his son.

“We remain ever grateful to the nation for the opportunity Alex has been given,” he said. “When he made his debut in 2015, little did we know that this was the beginning of an amazing and incredible journey which would lead to him achieving the milestone of a hundred caps and with the potential of many more caps to come.”

He praised his son’s commitment to the national team, adding: “Alex loves playing for the nation and always gives his best. No one can ever question his commitment, devotion and patriotism while wearing the green-and-white. There have been highs and lows over the years, but he has emerged stronger from the experience of playing for the country.”

Iwobi’s international career has seen him feature at four Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, winning a silver medal in 2023 and bronze medals in 2019 and 2025. He also represented Nigeria at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

His impending 100th cap places him in an elite group of Nigerian footballers. Former captain Joseph Yobo was the first Super Eagles player to reach the milestone, doing so during Nigeria’s Round of 16 clash against France at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama followed, earning his 100th cap in a friendly match against Uganda in Uyo.

Current captain Ahmed Musa became the third member of the exclusive club in 2021, with his landmark appearance coming in Nigeria’s victory over the Central African Republic in Yaoundé, Cameroon—a feat made even more memorable by the team’s victory on the occasion.

Now, as he prepares to join that distinguished company, Iwobi will hope to mark the occasion with a memorable performance and a victory against Portugal, adding another proud chapter to an international career spanning more than a decade and defined by consistency, commitment and unwavering loyalty to the green-and-white colours of Nigeria.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H