Nigeria vs Portugal: Super Eagles star to miss clash with Ronaldo over possible Achilles rupture

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Super Eagles star to miss clash with Ronaldo over possible Achilles rupture

Super Eagles defender Igoh Ogbu has been ruled out of Nigeria’s upcoming friendly match against Portugal due to injury, Afrik-Foot reports.

Fresh off a 2-2 draw against Poland in Warsaw, the Super Eagles are intensifying preparations in camp ahead of their next fixture against Portugal, set for June 10 in Leiria.

While the team is bolstered by the return of players like Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze—who missed the Unity Cup and the Poland match—key attacking stars Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen remain sidelined.

The injury news regarding Igoh Ogbu comes as a big blow because Super Eagles media officer Promise Efoghe confirmed that the Slavia Prague defender appears to have suffered an Achilles tendon rupture.

Consequently, he is scheduled to return to his club immediately for further medical assessment.

This is a setback for head coach Eric Chelle, as Ogbu has become a reliable figure at center-back during his tenure.

Nigeria defender Igoh Ogbu 5 during the Unity Cup London 2026 match between Jamaica and Nigeria at The Valley, London, UK on 30 May 2026.

The team and the player alike will be hoping for a more optimistic prognosis following more tests at his club, as an Achilles rupture is one of the most difficult injuries for footballers due to the lengthy recovery time required.

Super Eagles Still With Enough Quality for Portugal Clash

Despite the loss of Igoh Ogbu, coach Eric Chelle maintains a strong defensive core and has several capable center-backs to rely on against Portugal.

Calvin Bassey remains the leader at the heart of Nigeria’s backline, typically partnered by the experienced Semi Ajayi.

Poland vs Nigeria Super Eagles, Robert Lewandowski, Calvin Bassey

Also, Chibuike Nwaiwu and Emmanuel Fernandez will provide decent cover, sothe manager has enough options to choose from.

The fixture against the Seleção of Portugal serves as a major test for Chelle and his squad, who will be aiming to put in a disciplined performance and emerge unscathed.

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Kelvin Omachonu

Sports Writer

Kelvin Omachonu is a professional football columnist and sports writer with over half a decade of experience covering major events and delivering captivating, analytically-driven stories.

A graduate of the University of Ibadan, he is fueled by a dedication to sports journalism and the beautiful game.

His insights have previously been featured in respected outlets, including IndyPress UI, UCJ UI Newshive NG, Sportpremi, and a few others.

Away from work, Kelvin is also a basketball fan.