World Cup-bound Portugal begin preparations for friendly against Nigeria on Monday 

World Cup-bound Portugal national team will start preparations for their friendly against the Super Eagles on Monday, November 14.

According to Portuguese daily newspaper Diário de Notícias, their first training session at Cidade do Futebol is scheduled to begin at 1700 hours under the guidance of manager Fernando Santos, with the first fifteen minutes open to the media. 

Santos has named a 26-man squad for the 2022 World Cup, headlined by wantaway Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, and all the players are expected to report for training today. 

The Portuguese are using the friendly against Nigeria as preparation for their World Cup opener against Ghana on November 24.

Portugal's other opponents in Group H of the World Cup are Uruguay and South Korea. 

The 2016 European champions will take on three-time African champions Nigeria at Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon on Thursday, November 17, and the following day the delegation will leave for Qatar. 

Super Eagles manager Jose Peseiro has selected 23 players for the friendly but will not be able to call upon the services of three key defenders in Ola Aina, Zaidu Sanusi and Leon Balogun who are recovering from injuries. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Copyright ANS

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com