Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has shed light on why Portugal opted to face Nigeria in an international friendly, pointing to the team’s physical intensity and playing style rather than rankings. According to Chelle, the decision is not about comparing nations but about the type of challenge Portugal seeks ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Chelle emphasized that Portugal wants to test themselves against an African side known for its robust physicality. He noted, “This isn’t about disrespect. We can’t compare Nigeria and DR Congo. I don’t focus on which team is best. It’s about philosophy and the intensity of the game. They want to face an African team because of the physicality, and facing us is a good opportunity.”
The friendly is part of Portugal’s final preparations for the World Cup hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Chelle also linked Portugal’s choice to their recent playoff final against DR Congo, which Portugal lost on penalties. He speculated that Portugal may want to see how they fare against a similar African opponent. “We faced DR Congo in the World Cup playoffs and lost on penalties. Maybe they want to assess their performance against us. My job is to focus on my responsibilities, no matter what,” he added.
On squad development, Chelle stressed his long-term vision of building a balanced team blending experienced and younger players. He said, “My role is to assemble the best players in the country to create a mix of veterans and youth, because Nigeria remains after me. I outlined a year ago how I intend to do my job, and I have executed my duties. I don’t attribute success to luck.”
Regarding player selection, Chelle explained that he picks players who consistently prove their worth weekly. He stated, “When I call up a player, it’s because he shows it every week. My responsibility is to ensure the player is in optimal condition at the right time, even if that time comes when I’m not prepared. If we’re short and a player can’t participate, I make the most informed decision.”