'Ronaldo doesn't play, just like Osimhen' - Nigeria manager on the absence of Portugal talisman

Speaking at the pre-match press conference on Wednesday, Jose Peseiro believes that the Portugal squad is strong despite the absence of their talismanic captain Cristiano Ronaldo. 

The Manchester United superstar missed Portugal's final workout on Wednesday afternoon due to illness. 

Ronaldo has been diagnosed with gastritis and will not be available for Portugal's last game before their World Cup opener against Ghana. 

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner reported for international duty on Monday and participated in all Portugal's training sessions except for Wednesday's workout.

Napoli star Victor Osimhen, arguably Nigeria's most influential player at the moment, is not with the team in Portugal due to a back injury he suffered against Udinese last weekend,

"We can play a good game, Cristiano Ronaldo doesn't play, just like Victor Osimhen doesn't play, great players," Peseiro said. 

"We want Ronaldo to to be at the top for our selection, he's one of the best players of all time, the best Portuguese scorer of all time, a record breaker, we could be here counting all the records he broke.

"Portugal is a very strong team without Cristiano and even stronger with Cristiano."

Nigeria have fitness issues of their own, with Ajax left back Calvin Bassey facing a late fitness test to determine whether he will be available for the game. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit : fpf.pt

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