By Izuchukwu Okosi
Three time African champions Nigeria suffered a 2-1 defeat against Portugal Wednesday evening as they wrapped up their international friendlies in the month of June.
Head coach Eric Chelle made five changes to the starting line up that drew 2-2 with Poland a week ago.
Before the game kicked off, Fulham forward Alex Iwobi was honored as he won his 100th cap for Nigeria.
The Selecao captained by five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo missed a couple of big chances.
However the Portuguese went ahead in the 23rd minute through Chelsea winger Pedro Neto who controlled the ball brilliantly from a Diego Dalot assist before finding the spot with Maduka Okoye unable to stop the opener.
The game was the 25th for Chelle and his players were apparently keen to win it for him.
In the 37th minute, Akor Adams pounced on a long punt from Okoye.
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru had a touch of the ball but it fell kindly back to Adams who fizzled a low shot past Diego Costa on goal for Portugal.
Ronaldo and Trincao saw their gilt-edged chances wasted.
Portugal scored a second goal with 15 minutes left on the official match time with a sumptuous finish beyond the reach of Okoye who had a decent game barring conceding the two goals.
Both sides made rafts of changes in the second half but the Super Eagles were not able to restore parity despite the chances that fell at the feet of the second half substitutes Frank Onyeka and Samuel Chukwueze.
Portugal are heading to their 9th appearance at the World Cup and will open their campaign with a group game against DR Congo that stopped Nigeria from making a consecutive appearance at the World Cup.
