International Football
NIGERIA TO RANK NUMBER 41 ON MONDAY; SET FOR POT 4 OF WORLD CUP DRAW
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
When the October 2017 FIFA ranking is released on Monday, Nigeria will be ranked number 41 in the world and fifth in Africa, Sports Village Square has calculated.
The October ranking is crucial as it will be exclusively used for the final draw of the World Cup which will hold on December 1 at State Kremlin Palace in Moscow Russia.
As at the moment, with the inclusion of Russia which even though will be 63rd in global ranking, but will be moved forward among the top eight seeds at the World Cup Draw, Nigeria will be number 19 in ranking among the 23 already qualified teams.
The situation will definitely change when some of the expected nine qualifiers are added next month. Of the nine expected World Cup teams, four are expected from Europe as eight will be drawn into straight knockout fixture on Tuesday.
Of the eight European teams struggling for qualification, Nigeria will be ahead of on Greece in the FIFA ranking to be released on Monday.
The effect of this is that Nigeria will be pushed three or four steps down the ranking ladder by the time the four new European qualifiers emerge.
The other seven European aspirants that are ahead in ranking to Nigeria are Switzerland (to rank 11), Italy (15), Denmark (16), Croatia (19), Northern Ireland (23), Sweden (25) and Ireland (26).
From the current 19th ranking among the World Cup qualifiers which will certainly go to 23 or 24 when four more qualifiers emerge from Europe, further threat to Nigeria’s position also come from Africa where either Tunisia (to be ranked 28th on Monday) or Congo DR (to be FIFA ranked as 35) will emerge from Group A.
Senegal which is set to pick the Africa Group D ticket will also be ranked 32 on Monday thus also pushing Nigeria down in World Cup Draw ranking.
Qualification of either Morocco or Cote d’Ivoire will not affect Nigeria’s position in the overall ranking of qualified teams.
As it is, based on the 23 qualifiers so far, Nigeria will temporarily be in Pot 3, but Pot 4 is the ultimate destination.
Only the Pot 1 is completely established and not open to changes. Those to be there are hosts, Russia, defending champions, Germany, Brazil, Portugal, Argentina, Belgium, Poland and France.
Teams in the same pot will not meet in the group stage of the World Cup.
The Pot 2 potentially has England, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay, Iceland, Costa Rica and Egypt. Changes are expected in this pot as Switzerland, Italy, Denmark, Croatia, Northern Ireland, Sweden and Ireland are potential entrants who are currently involved in European play offs.
They will know their opponents on Tuesday when a play off draw will be made at the FIFA headquarters.
Most likely to be in the Pot 4 when all the 32 teams must have emerged next month are: Nigeria, Iran, Serbia, Japan, Panama, Saudi Arabia and Saudi Arabia.
Significantly, of the 23 teams already assured of a place in the 2018 World Cup, the host country, Russia is the least ranked.
RANKING OF THE WORLD CUP 2018 QUALIFIED TEAMS
1st. Germany
2nd. Brazil
3rd. Portugal
4th. Argentina
5th. Belgium
6th. Poland
7th. France
8th. Spain
12th. England
13th. Colombia
17th. Mexico
18th. Uruguay
21st. Iceland
22nd. Costa Rica
31st. Egypt
34th Iran
38th. Serbia
41st. Nigeria
44th. Japan
49th. Panama
60th. South Korea
61st. Saudi Arabia
63rd. Russia
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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