International Football
Potential Super Eagle, Tammy Abraham Next to Nest
By KUNLE SOLAJA.
More results are flowing in the current NFF president’s initiative to get more Nigerian players in the Diaspora into the national football team as another player; Tammy Abraham is set to switch allegiance from England to Nigeria.
Amaju Pinnick, the NFF chief has brought in players like Alex Iwobi and Ola Aina among others into the Super Eagles’ fold. Multiple sources including the NFF official blog and that of UK domiciled Daily Mail have informed Sports Village Square on the success made so far in getting on-loan Chelsea starlet, Tammy Abraham to switch nationality despite winning nine Under 21 caps for England.
The Chelsea striker has scored three goals in nine Under 21 games for England.
The player who will clock 20 in 11 days time has played nine matches for England’s youth team and scored three goals.
According to London Daily Mail, Pinnick who is a friend of the striker’s father has claimed that Abraham could play at next year’s World Cup, should the Super Eagles qualify for Russia 2018.
The Super Eagles are currently well on course for the World Cup as they are three points clear of the sole Group B rivals, Zambia, and also have a superior goal difference with two rounds of matches to play. Nigeria can confirm qualification with a game to spare by beating Zambia in Uyo next month.
Abraham who was born in London remains eligible to play for Nigeria owing to his father’s nationality and having not yet won a first team cap for England.
UK Daily Mail quoted Pinnick as saying: ‘I had a very honest and productive discussion with Tammy and his father last week. ‘It’s been a long process but I can tell you authoritatively that he has agreed to play for Nigeria and not England. He and his parents have started the necessary documents to effect the switch.
The NFF Chief, Amaju Pinnick is a friend of Tommy Abraham’s father
“Clearly he understands he stands a better chance playing for the Super Eagles. With his talent he has the ability to fight for a place in the Nigeria squad, by God’s grace we make it to Russia, and then he would contest for a chance to represent his fatherland.”
The NFF website also confirms this, stating further that the meeting Pinnick had with the Tammy and his family was also attended by the player’s agent, Neil Fewills.
“Tammy is like a son to me, because his father was my childhood friend. I believe he is a good prospect for the Super Eagles and the effort is well worth it’, thenff.com quoted Pinnick as saying.
The NFF further reports that Tammy was born on October 2, 1997 and is 1.90m tall. He is “said to have immense respect for fellow Chelsea FC man Victor Moses, who also played for England at junior level before committing his senior international career to Nigeria”.
Another source at the said meeting confirmed to thenff.com that Moses actually called in during the meeting to lend a voice to the call for Tammy to opt to fly with the Eagles rather than hunt with the Lions.
Moses himself has proved a worthwhile ‘catch’ for Nigeria, emerging the Super Eagles’ most valuable player in his first tournament – the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations that Nigeria won in South Africa – and playing at the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil where the Eagles made the Round of 16.
He has also been an impact player for the Eagles in the ongoing 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying race, scoring two in the 3-1 triumph over Algeria in Uyo last year and emerging Man-Of-The-Match in both encounters against African champions Cameroon earlier this month. The four points from those two games have taken the Super Eagles within a kissing distance of Russia 2018.
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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