Samson Tijani Proud of Super Eagles’ Performance Despite Setback Against Portugal
Nigerian midfielder Samson Tijani has publicly expressed his pride in the Super Eagles’ performance, despite their narrow 2-1 defeat against Portugal in a friendly match held on Wednesday evening at the Estadio Dr. Magalhaes Pessoa. The three-time African champions showcased their skills in a tightly contested game, reflecting notable improvements from previous encounters.
The match was particularly exciting as it unfolded, with Akor Adams managing to equalize for Nigeria after Pedro Neto had initially put Portugal ahead. However, the Portuguese side found a late winner through super-sub Francisco Conceicao, who struck with just 15 minutes remaining on the clock, thanks to an assist from Joao Cancelo. The Juventus attacker fired a low shot past goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, who delivered an impressive performance despite the defeat.
Although Tijani was unable to participate in the match due to visa complications, he remains optimistic about the team’s growth. He emphasized that the Super Eagles lived up to expectations and demonstrated significant progress against a strong opponent. “We can be proud of the way we played,” Tijani stated. “Many did not give us a chance against Portugal, but there were numerous positives to take away from our performance.”
Reflecting on the past, Tijani compared this match to their previous encounter with Portugal, where Nigeria faced a discouraging 4-0 defeat. This time, he believes the players exhibited quality and resilience. “The entire team deserves congratulations for their efforts,” he asserted. “We are a work in progress, and there are many lessons to learn from this defeat.”
Looking ahead, the former Nigeria U17 captain acknowledged the significance of recent international matches in preparing the Super Eagles for future challenges. With the disappointment of missing out on the 2026 World Cup still fresh, the team is now geared towards the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeria will face Guinea-Bissau, Tanzania, and Madagascar in their pursuit to secure a spot in the continent’s premier football tournament.
“We have learned significantly from our World Cup exclusion,” Tijani noted. “Our focus must be on avoiding the same mistakes and ensuring continuous growth.” He concluded by highlighting the importance of both results and ongoing development within the squad, stating, “We have quality players and an ambitious coaching staff, dedicated to improvement day after day.”
The Super Eagles’ next fixture is scheduled against Madagascar on September 23rd, as they continue their journey in the AFCON qualifiers. Following this, they will travel to Guinea-Bissau for another crucial qualifying match, marking the beginning of their quest to return to international prominence.
