International Football
HECTIC SCHEDULE AS FIFA BEGINS NIGERIA’S FACILITIES INSPECTION FOR 2020 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
The inspection of facilities that Nigeria have to offer for the hosting of the 2020 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup has began in earnest.
The five-man team expected to arrive Lagos Monday evening was expected to inspect the hotel facilities at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on Monday evening.
Sports Village Square reliable gathered that the visiting officials are expected to spend the night at the hotel where they will have a pre-inspection briefing as well as another meeting on finance and budget.
The inspection of facilities commences on Tuesday after the FIFA team must have checked out of the Eko Hotels and Suites.
Tuesday’s activities will begin at the construction site of
the waterfront Onikan Arena. This is easily the oldest existing sporting arena
in Nigeria which origin dates back to 1936 as the then Association Ground.
It was renamed the King George V (KGV) on April 12, 1952 after it got a facelift to commemorate the coronation of the English Monarch. It was renamed Lagos City Stadium in 1963. The great Pele of Brazil is one of the legends that have graced the turf at Onikan.
The structure was pulled down on June 7,1973. The reconstructed stadium was commissioned on October 2, 1982 and renamed Onikan Stadium, which was again pulled down in 2018 and again renamed, Onikan Arena as reconstruction is nearing completion.
From Onikan, the Medical Group of the visiting FIFA team will go to St. Nicholas Hospital, which proposed as one of the referral medical outfits, if Nigeria gets the nod.
According to information gathered by www.sportsvillagesquare.com, the inspection team moves to Campos Square on the Lagos Island. This is one of the five training sites proposed.
The other proposed training sites are Eagle Club in Surulere, Teslim Balogun Stadium, the Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium and the University of Lagos Sports Centre.
After the inspection, the FIFA team and the NFF men will pay a courtesy call on the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide O. Sanwo-Olu.
Thereafter, the team leaves for the domestic wing of the Murtala Airport for a trip to Benin. They are expected to pay a courtesy call on the Governor of Edo State at about 2.30pm on Tuesday.
Thereafter, the inspection begins with the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, which like the Onikan Arena in Lagos, is undergoing reconstruction.
Originally, it was the Ogbe Stadium, inaugurated on December 7, 1968 before the name changed to Ogbemudia on May 18, 2001 when it was re-commissioned.
It is being rebuilt in preparation for the next edition of the National Sports Festival.
Even though originally commissioned in 1968, it has its remote history in 1952 when Chief Gaius Obaseki, chairman of Benin Divisional Government gave out £1,000 for the building.
The Benin Divisional Council also provided additional £1,000 for annual maintenance. Actual construction began in January 1967.
From the stadium, the FIFA team will proceed to the University of Benin sports centre, which is designated as training site along with the Western Boys College.
The medical group will inspect the Central Hospital Benin. From here, the team heads for Asaba by air and will lodge at Best Western Hotel.
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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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