Football stakeholders have expressed confidence in the future of Nigeria’s senior national team, the Super Eagles, in spite of their 2-1 loss to Portugal on Wednesday in an international friendly in Leiria, Portugal .
Some of the stakeholders, who spoke with the Newsmen in Abuja on Saturday, commended the team’s performance against the World Cup-bound Portuguese side .
They urged continued support for the team’s Head Coach ,Eric Chelle as he rebuilds the squad ahead of future competitions.
Victor Oluwole, a Super Eagles supporter, said Nigeria’s performance is commendable considering the absence of key like Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman.
According to him, the emergence of Sevilla striker Akor Adams, who scored Nigeria’s equaliser in the 37th minute, highlights the progress being made in rebuilding the national team.
“The team showed fighting spirit and character against Portugal. It is clear that the rebuilding process is ongoing, and if this momentum is sustained, Nigeria can become a stronger force at the next Africa Cup of Nations,” he said.
Oluwole urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to allow Chelle to work without undue interference and to continue selecting players based on merit.
“The NFF should give the coach the freedom to do his job. Stability is important at this stage. If the current rebuilding process is allowed to continue, Nigerians will see a much-improved Super Eagles team in future competitions,” he added.
Olanrewaju Afolabi, a sports analyst based in Kebbi, who described the match as encouraging, said that the Super Eagles gave a good account of themselves against one of Europe’s top teams.
Afolabi particularly celebrated Alex Iwobi’s achievement of earning his 100th senior international cap, describing it as a historic milestone.
“ He acknowledged that goalkeeper Maduka Okoye could have done better in preventing Pedro Neto’s opening goal in the 23rd minute but praised the shot-stopper for making two crucial saves later in the game.
“ He also praised the inclusion of new players in the squad, especially the six Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) players invited to the team.
“The coach deserves credit for giving opportunities to new faces and home-based players. Their performance shows that there are talents within the domestic league that can contribute to the national team,” he said.
Bunmi Haruna, Coach of AA Football Club of FCT, described the encounter as a reality check for Nigerian football.
“The match showed where we currently stand in comparison to the world’s top football nations. We still have work to do, but with the right support from all stakeholders, the team can improve and compete at a higher level.
“ I urged football administrators and supporters to remain patient with the team and provide the necessary backing to help the players and technical crew achieve success,” he said.
Similarly, Adeolu Johnson, a sports analyst in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), expressed satisfaction with the direction of the team under Chelle.
He said that the coach had identified and integrated several promising players into the squad, citing Akor Adams as one of the emerging talents.
“Coach Chelle is not doing badly. Since his appointment, he has discovered new players and expanded the talent pool. The team are on the right track,” he said.
He advised the NFF to continue arranging high-profile international friendlies to expose the team to stronger opposition and aid its development.
Johnson, however, lamented Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“It is unfortunate that Nigeria will not be participating in the World Cup. We will be watching as spectators rather than participants at the global football festival,” he said.
Portugal secured the victory through goals from Pedro Neto and Francisco Conceição, while Akor Adams scored Nigeria’s only goal.
The match served as a final preparatory fixture ahead of the Portugal’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign that will begins on June 17 against DR Congo in Houston, U.S.
