Prestige at stake as Portugal, Nigeria clash in Amadora 

By Harry Awurumibe, Africa’s No.1 Women Football Journalist

Bragging rights will be  at stake this evening when Portugal’s senior women’s football team “A Seleção das Quinas” or “The Team of the Escutcheons” takes  on the Super Falcons of Nigeria in a pre-tournament international friendly match at Estádio José Gomes, Amadora near Lisbon  billed for 7pm Nigerian time.

The encounter which is serving as part of both countries’ preparations for the 13th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) holding in Morocco from July 5 to 26, 2025, and Euro  Women’s 2025 in Switzerland next month, will be take serious by the two teams.

Although the nine-time African champions landed in Lisbon 24 hours ago, they will be ready for the Portuguese test even as both teams have a faint idea of each other, having met four years ago during the Summer Series 4-team invitational tournament hosted by United States of (USA) in Houston and Austin, Texas in June 2021.

Recall Nigeria and  Portugal played out a bruising 3-3 draw in the six goals thriller on June 14, 2021, at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston,  Texas, with the Super Falcons always coming from behind to equalize the match which saw Michelle Alozie deployed as a forward by American-born former head coach Randy Waldrum.

Alozie, who was playing for the Houston Dash reserves then, was positioned directly in front of the net and did well to knock the ball home from the doorstep on the volley to cut the lead in half heading into the break after Portugal had gone 2-0 up.

Defender Chidinma Okeke’s own goal gifted Portugal the first goal in the 22nd minute, and goalkeeper Toochukwu Oluehi was beaten in the 30th minute  before Alozie reduced the deficit towards the half time.

Portugal made it 3-1 on resumption, but a late  charge by the West Africans on the day ensured that a Portuguese own goal and Rasheedat Ajibade’s extra time goal courtesy of six minutes of stoppage time was just enough for Nigeria to equalize to leave final score at 3-3.

The goal came after Portugal’s forward, Melissa Gomes, made an ill-advised back pass in her own defensive third, and it was picked off by forward Gift Monday. She then played a short pass to Payne who flew into the left side of box on the dribble and cut a short pass back to Ajibade who slid to knock the ball into the right corner, sparking a wild celebration from the Nigerians.

However,  with the bulk of the players who were featured in the match by former coach Waldrum, four years ago, still in the squad to be presented by current head coach Justin Madugu, it is expected that Super Falcons will get something out of the  encounter Monday night.

Now, the captain of the team Rasheedat Ajibade will carry the weight of the team, although she will be supported by reliable goalkeeper Chiamaka Cynthia Nnadozie; defenders-Oluwatosin Demehin, Michelle Alozie,  Miracle Usani and Osinachi Ohale and midfielders- Deborah Abiodun, Jennifer Echegini, Toni Payne, and Christy Ucheibe.

Also, Madugu has enough attackers to trouble the Portuguese, namely Chinwendu Ihezuo, Ifeoma Onumonu, Esther Okoronkwo, Asisat Oshoala , and Omorinsola Babajide, depending on the formation he will likely apply.

The head coach of the Portugal women’s national team is Francisco Neto, who has been in charge of the team since 2014, and had for the first time, led the Portugal national team to Euro 2017 and 2025, is experienced enough to assemble a crack team that will give the Nigerians a  good run for their money today.

Finally, this meeting will be more than a friendly match because coaches Neto and Madugu, who are preparing their two teams for different continental competitions next month, would like to prove a point with this encounter to show how prepared their teams for the important assignments ahead.