The 2022 World Cup gets underway in Qatar today with the senior national team of Nigeria not at the event after failing to qualify by losing on away goal rule to Ghana.

However as many as five players of Nigerian descent will be at the tournament including those who were eligible for Nigeria and even indicated interest to play for Nigeria but weren’t given a look in.

One of them is Ike Ugbo who switched his international allegiance to Nigeria after representing England at several youth levels, but had to dust his Canadian passport after getting cold shoulders from the former coach of the team Gernot Rohr.

Ugbo’s goal-scoring put him on the radar of multiple national teams. In September 2021, as Ugbo was beginning to find the back of the net with Genk on a new permanent deal in the Belgian first division, he publicly stated that he would represent Nigeria. The chance to play in the 2022 World Cup was a driving factor.

Quietly, Ugbo still hesitated with his decision. He says now that he never heard from then-Nigeria national team coach Gernot Rohr throughout the process.

“And,” he added, “I never grew up in Nigeria, either.”

His first conversation with coach of Canada John Herdman in October 2021 changed everything and now he is heading to the World Cup following their qualification for the World Cup for the first time in almost four decades.

“(Herdman) knew about me from when I was at Chelsea,” Ugbo said. “He knew exactly what I was going through. He spoke to me about the ambitions of Canada and what he’s trying to do and what he’d already done. Already I could see, without him telling me, the direction Canada was going in”, he told The Athletic.

FC Porto and Nigeria international defender Zaidu Sanusi has come out with a proper translation of what Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes said after their 4-0 win over Nigeria.

Fernandez scored twice in the rout and was said to have dismissed the Super Eagles as a top team after the game. That statement went viral especially on social media owing to his damning dismissal of the team.

“Our match against Nigeria was not on the standard we wanted. Their level was not on a world class required standard. So here in Qatar we will face the World best. We wanted to play a tough national team, but all of them were already occupied. Nigeria was the only one available. They didn’t test us at all”, he was quoted as saying.

However many used the goggle translator to translate it to English as the interview was done in Portuguese but Zaidu who missed the game due to injury said the whole interview was taken out of context owing to the method used in translating it.

” Bruno gave the interview in Portuguese and what he said was they wanted a tough test before the World Cup hence the decision to play Nigeria. However the game was easier than they anticipated and they expect a tougher test in Qatar. More like telling the fans that all games won’t be like that at the World Cup”, he told OwnGoalNigeria.com.

Nigeria suffered one of their heaviest defeat in ten years by losing 0-4 to Portugal yesterday in an international friendly game played at the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon.

Emmanuel Dennis was the target of most Nigerians after he insisted on taking a penalty won by Bright Osayi-Samuel with scores at 0-2. Captain of the team William Troost Ekong had an argument with him over it.

Ekong was told by coach Jose Peseiro from the bench to take the spot kick but all attempts to get the ball from his former Watford teammate proved abortive. Ekong it looked like wanted Paul Onuachu to take the spot kick not even himself.

Dennis stood his ground and saw his effort come off the woodwork aided by a fingertip push by goalkeeper Rui Patricio. Two minutes later, Portugal scored two more goals to round up an empathic win. Peseiro admitted that the penalty miss changed the dynamic of the game but refuse to blame Dennis for taking it.

” I think we show here in the second half against a big team that we can do much better. Of course if you have a chance of bringing the scores to 1-2 and you missed a penalty that’s very sad but I am not chiding my players. My players try to do the right thing, try to fight for us”, he started of saying in his post match interview with NFFTV.

“This moment if you score 1-2 you can push for a draw but you didn’t score and after that you suffer two goals. I think we lose the balance in that moment. We have to improve, we must improve because we want to win the next AFCON”, he further stressed before absolving Dennis of any blame.

“I need one thing about that I speak with my players. In my team, in my national team I won’t allow one player to be killed. Okay, he missed a penalty.

“The next time we can train him more on how to take the penalty. We need to defend our players, which player don’t miss penalty in the world? I don’t know. Any player can miss penalty. It was Dennis today, he has my protection, he rounded up saying.

Nigeria yesterday suffered a heavy 0-4 defeat to Portugal in an international friendly game meant as a senthforth for the world cup bound host and they were simply majestic in front of a sold out crowd.

After the game, a mild drama ensued between Nantes winger Moses Simon and assistant coach Finidi George on who who will get the jersey of former Real Madrid defender Pepe. The moment was captured on camera.

Simon was already swapping jersey with the Portuguese legend who now plays for FC Porto but Finidi, a former Real Betis star during his playing days walked up and tried to talk Simon into letting him have it but Simon didn’t bulge and even Pepe seems to agree with him.

Explaining the entire situation to OwnGoalNigeria.com, a backroom staff said Finidi explained to them that he already told Pepe that he wants his shirt for his son who is a Real Madrid fan and specifically asked him to get Pepe’s shirt.

He said Finidi only reminded Pepe that he told him in the dressing room before the game that he wants his shirt for his son. The same thing was what he tried to explain to Simon as well who was unaware of what transpired between the duo in the dressing room.

Speaking further, he said it wasn’t seen as an issue especially as the two people involved have a very good relationship and also are among the most loved in the squad.

Nigeria suffered one of their heaviest defeat in ten years by losing 0-4 to Portugal yesterday in an international friendly game played at the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon.

Bruno Fernandes first half brace set the pace for what was am emphatic win for the World Cup bound Portuguese team, who are tipped among the favorite for the trophy in Qatar when the tournament gets underway this weekend.

The manner of the defeat left a bitter taste in the mouth of the coach of the Nigerian team Jose Peseiro, who has only won two of the nine matches since he was appointed as coach six months ago. He blamed today’s defeat on a shambolic first half display.

“I am sad. 0-4 is too much goals to concede. In the first half I think we didn’t start well. We didn’t show good organisation. We didn’t put pressure on the opponent. It’s true the opponent have too much quality”, he explained to the official television channel of the Nigeria Football Federation NFFTV.

“They create some super ideas with us. The first half wasn’t a good first half. Sometimes you could go in front, sometimes I believe you should change more of the game and tackle the space”, he further said.

He said the team had a better second half performance much like what he will love to see in future games, saying it could have been 1-2 if Emmanuel Dennis had scored from the spot or if other players took their chances before Portugal scored two more goals.

“In the second half much better. I think our team play on a second level. This level I want more from our team but it needs time and process in training.

” I think we show here in the second half against a big team that we can do much better. Of course if you have a chance of bringing the scores to 1-2 and you missed a penalty that’s very sad but I am not chiding my players. My players try to do the right thing, try to fight for us.

“This moment if you score 1-2 you can push for a draw but you didn’t score and after that you suffer two goals. I think we lose the balance in that moment. We have to improve, we must improve because we want to win the next AFCON”, he rounded up saying.

The senior national team of Nigeria were roundly beaten by World Cup bound Portugal 4-0 in an international friendly at a sold out Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon. The game was their final tune up game before heading to the World Cup.

OwnGoalNigeria.com rates the players on display for Nigeria in what was their heaviest loss in over 20 years.

Francis Uzoho – He wasn’t at fault for any of the goals the team conceded and twice bailed them out with two really good saves in the second half. He even rescued Etebo from scoring a bizzare own goal…… 5/10

Bright Osayi-Samuel – The one positive to take from the game and was unlucky to give away a penalty for handball. Didn’t look like a player who was making his debut. Solid in tackles, decisive in attack and one of his rare forays earned Nigeria the penalty which was missed by Emmanuel Dennis….. 6/10

Calvin Bassey – Not sure if he is fully fit as he looked rusty in possession. Went missing for the first goal scored by Portugal and only showed glimpses of his worth in the second half…… 4/10

William Troost Ekong – Solid but not spectacular. Won a lot in the air and also on the ground. Surprisingly confident in possession but didn’t show any form of understanding with his partner Akpoguma…… 5/10

Kevin Akpoguma – Didn’t look comfortable with the ball at his feet. Won all of his duels, there is however still no understanding with Ekong who was his partner in central defence. It was clear to see all game long……. 4/10

Wilfred Ndidi – Appeared lost in his bid to interpret what the coach wants in this very complex system. Struggled to get going and it didn’t come as a surprise when he was subbed off before the commencement of the second half……. 2/10

Joe Aribo – He had a very lively first half with his desire to drive the team forward. Went missing in the second half without getting to be on same wavelength with Terem Moffi…… 4/10

Alex Iwobi – Showed why he is so highly rated at Everton this season. Extremely composed on the ball, works really hard off it and also picked his passes with ease. He stood out in the middle…… 5/10

Moses Simon – Had a very quiet game made worse with two poorly taken corner kicks. Used his energy to bail the team in defending and also initiating attack but nothing came out of his endeavors……. 4/10

Ademola Lookman – Not the player setting the Serie A on fire with goals this season. He certainly didn’t look it. Sluggish in possession and also a liability in defending. Didn’t return from the dressing room after the break…… 2/10

Terem Moffi – Not fair to judge him when he didn’t get enough service to wreck damage. Ran around and as expected became tired from not getting involved…….. 3/10

Subs:

Samuel Chukwueze: Very lively and came closest to reducing the deficit for Nigeria from open play. He still need to work on his decision making in key moments…… 5/10

Frank Onyeka – The tank like he is called helped stabilized the team before the late collaspe. He looked more at home in the Peseiro’s system than Ndidi……. 4/10

Oghenekaro Etebo – Almost scored a bizzare own goal from an intended back pass. He struggled to get going for the minutes he was on the pitch……. 2/10

Emmanuel Dennis – A day to forget for the Nottingham Forest man. He insisted on taking the penalty despite Ekong’s appeal for him to give the ball to Onuachu. He ended up missing it and might have missed out on another chance with the team……. 2/10

Paul Onuachu – Struggled badly and didn’t do enough to earn a rating…..

The senior national team of Nigeria were roundly beaten by World Cup bound Portugal 4-0 in an international friendly at a sold out Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon. The game was their final tune up game before heading to the World Cup.

Portugal made proper use of their early dominance by taking the lead in the 9th minute when Bruno Fernandes finished off a cross from Diego Dalot with ease, thanks to the poor organization of the Nigerian defence.

They continue piling the pressure with Joao Felix trying his luck from range and only missing by some few metres with goalkeeper Francis Uzoho beaten. The breakthrough for the second goal didn’t waste time in coming.

Ten minutes before the half time break, Bright Osayi-Samuel was adjudged to have to handle the ball in the Nigerian box and after a review by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), it was given as a penalty.

Fernandez stepped up to grab his and his team’s second goal of the game by sending Uzoho the wrong way. He was unfortunate not to score a first half hattrick as he ran out of space after beating Uzoho a few minutes before the half time break.

Ten minutes from full time, a strong run from Osayi-Samuel from a swift counter attack ended with Dalot bringing down the right back on the left flank of Nigeria. Emmanuel Dennis stepped up to take it despite captain William Troost Ekong telling him to hand the ball to Paul Onuachu.

Dennis ended up hitting the woodwork with his efforts and less than a minute later, Portugal made it 3-0 with a simple tap in for Gonzalo Ramos. Joao Mario rounded up an emphatic win for the host with the fourth goal a minute later.

The lineup of the senior national team of Nigeria for tomorrow’s friendly game against the senior national team of Portugal will see the trio of Joe Aribo, Moses Simon and Terem Moffi lead the line for Nigeria.

In Peseiro’s preferred 4-4-2 formation, the coach has decided to play with Francis Uzoho in goal despite the fact that Maduka Okoye has been fantastic in training ahead of the game. The decision to stick with Uzoho has been made even before the players resumed.

In defence, Kevin Akpoguma will partner captain of the team William Troost Ekong with Bright Osayi-Samuel picked as the replacement for injured regular right back Ola Aina. The left full back will be manned by Calvin Bassey, who passed a late fitness test.

Alex Iwobi will rekindle his partnership with Wilfred Ndidi in the heart of the midfield while Joe Aribo will play just behind the main striker. A role he has excelled in at his English Premier League side Southampton.

Aribo will play behind main striker Terem Moffi who will be flanked by the duo of Moses Simon and Ademola Lookman on the left and right flanks of the team respectively.  Below is how they will line up.

Starting XI

Francis Uzoho
Calvin Bassey
Bright Osayi-Samuel
William Troost Ekong
Kevin Akpoguma
Wilfred Ndidi
Alex Iwobi
Joe Aribo
Terem Moffi
Moses Simon
Ademola Lookman