When the senior national team of Nigeria takes on their Portuguese counterparts tomorrow in an international friendly, the host will be without their captain and global football icon Cristiano Ronaldo.
The game is meant to serve as a senthforth for the Portuguese team ahead of the start of the World Cup in Qatar, while Nigeria will use the game to fine tune preparations ahead of their competitive commitment next year.
Ahead of the game coach of the Portuguese team Fernando Santos revealed that Ronaldo won’t be a part of the team after missing today’s training due to a stomach bug. “He is in his room resting and recovering. He won’t practice and won’t be ready for tomorrow’s game either,” coach Santos said.
Benfica’s 19-year-old defender Antonio Silva could be in the starting team against Nigeria ahead of Manchester City’s Ruben Dias.
“He will play but I’m still deciding if it will be from the start,” Santos said.
“I have full confidence in the group. Not only Ronaldo but all the players are very focused.
“The players have given me absolute guarantee – not that I need it – of the total focus and ambition they have for this World Cup.”
Portugal are in World Cup Group H with Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea.
