Super Eagles line up Portugal, Poland friendlies ahead of AFCON qualifiers

Nigeria’s Super Eagles will face the European sides Poland national football team and the Portugal national football team, in international friendly matches this June as part of preparations for upcoming competitions.

The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed that the team will first take on Poland on June 3, before facing Portugal on June 10, in what is expected to be a high-profile test against the Cristiano Ronaldo-led side.

Key tests ahead of AFCON qualifiers

The friendlies come at a crucial time for Nigeria following their failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, offering a chance for a tactical reset and squad evaluation.

Head coach Eric Chelle is expected to use both fixtures to assess player combinations and experiment with new additions, including foreign-born Nigerian talents being considered for future call-ups.

The matches will serve as part of the team’s build-up to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers scheduled to begin in September.

History and recent form

Nigeria’s last meeting with Portugal ended in a heavy 4–0 defeat in Lisbon, underlining the challenge awaiting the Super Eagles in the upcoming clash.

However, their last encounter with Poland produced a more positive outcome, with Nigeria securing a 1–0 victory in a 2018 friendly thanks to a penalty from Victor Moses.

Poland, meanwhile, will also be looking to bounce back after narrowly missing out on World Cup qualification following a 3–2 playoff loss to Sweden.

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With both opponents offering contrasting styles and quality, the fixtures are seen as an opportunity for Nigeria to begin a structured rebuild, test depth, and regain competitive rhythm.

For Chelle and his squad, June’s friendlies could set the tone for a new phase as the Super Eagles aim to return to continental and global relevance.