Wilfred Ndidi Backs Super Eagles Ahead Of Portugal Test

Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi has described Nigeria’s international friendly against Portugal as another important benchmark in the team’s development under head coach Éric Chelle.

Nigeria will face the European giants in Leiria, Portugal, at 8:45 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10, with both sides using the encounter to fine-tune preparations for future competitions.

The Super Eagles head into the match in a confident mood after a six-game unbeaten run that has produced four wins and two draws. Chelle’s side has also lost just once in regulation time in 24 matches since the Franco-Malian took charge in January 2025.

Ndidi believes Portugal will provide the kind of challenge the Super Eagles need as the team continue their progress.

“It will be a very good test for us, we faced the first test against Poland, and Portugal is a great team with great players as well,” Ndidi told reporters on Tuesday.

“It will be a massive test for us as a group, to our vision, to our aim as a team, to our growth. It will definitely be a good test for us.”

The midfielder credited Chelle for the transformation of the Super Eagles, pointing to the team’s impressive displays, particularly at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where Nigeria’s attacking football earned widespread praise despite falling short of the title.

“He (Chelle) is a very good manager, an amazing guy. The way he brings the team together is really good because everyone is happy to have him around. The most important thing is to have a group of players who are ready to fight and work for you, and also do the nation proud,” Ndidi added.

Missing 2026 World Cup Sad – Wilfred Ndidi

The Beşiktaş star also reflected on Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the last two FIFA World Cups, insisting the current squad is focused on ensuring history does not repeat itself.

“Missing out on the World Cup is really sad. As I said earlier the aim is not to keep thinking about the past, but to look forward to the future, and what we can actually achieve together as a team,” he said.

“The coach has brought in a great philosophy, and you can see that in the way we performed at the last AFCON. Yes, we couldn’t win the title, but it was exciting.

“We have a good mindset now, which is very positive going forward. We look forward to every training, every game, trying to improve. We are not perfect, but I know we are getting there, we are getting to improve every day.”

Ndidi said facing elite opposition remains crucial to the team’s growth and stressed that the players are approaching the Portugal clash with confidence.

“We learn when we win, draw or lose. There is so much confidence in the team. With our philosophy, we believe in ourselves. We don’t care who we are playing, even if we are playing against the biggest countries in the world, the most important thing is that as players we are ready to win. We look forward to taking our philosophy, and strategy to the game,” declared Ndidi.

“If it comes out well we will keep learning, if it is the other way too, we will keep learning. We didn’t qualify for this World Cup which was very painful, but what we are planning now is for the future. The target, the aim is to keep improving, and make sure it doesn’t happen again.

“We will try to qualify for every tournament, we will try to win games which is very important, and also the group is focused on achieving that. It is very sad for us as a nation to miss out on the World Cup, as massive as we are. Good luck to the guys who will be playing at the World Cup. For us a team, we are looking forward to the next competition.”

Wednesday’s fixture will also mark a special occasion for Alex Iwobi, who is set to earn his 100th cap for Nigeria.

Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo and Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes, will use the match as their final warm-up game before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Naija News reports that Super Eagles will be without Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, but Chelle can call on Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Paul Onuachu, Terem Moffi and Akor Adams as the Super Eagles seek another statement result against top-level opposition.