The senior national team of Nigeria will on the 17th of November take on the Portuguese team in an international friendly game as part of the final round of games by the host ahead of the start of the World Cup 2022 in Qatar.
Peseiro has already called up players for the game but the list is yet to be made public, he however takes out time to explain how the team will approach the game and why they decided to play against Portugal.
He said even though the team hasn’t won any of their friendly games since he took over as coach. It is still better to play against the strong teams as it will help them know where the team is in need of improvement, something which he said might not be seen if they play against a weaker team.
“Playing against my nation, the best in the world, which can win the World Cup, is extraordinary. But it is also a great opportunity: when you want to create a national team with great goals, you have to do it against great opponents. For now we have played against Mexico. and Ecuador in the United States and then against Algeria”, he explained.
“The path must be this: if you just want to win, it’s better to play against Nationals without this quality. But if I want to improve the national team, I also have to go through defeats that prepare us for a future better. What motivation do you give to the players against the small national teams? Only points for the UEFA Ranking. But beating Portugal, competing head to head, then it’s a different kind of path. “
Asked about his relationship with celebrated coach Jose Mourinho, he said he learnt a lot winning under the now coach of Roma which has helped shape his career since he decided to work on his own as head coach.
“I was with Mourinho and I studied him … Or he studied me! We are friends, very good friends. And he has shown that he puts on great performances. Over the years he has shown his enthusiasm , motivations. He opened many doors everywhere for us Portuguese coaches. He showed everyone that in Portugal there are great coaches and we all have to thank Mourinho.
“First he won without money, at Porto, then he became a fighter. In England he is managed to take the Premier League a step forward, he always created something, enthusiasm, attention, results, victories “, he remarked.
On if Cristiano Ronaldo still has a role to play for Portugal at the world cup, he said that isn’t an issue to be debated on as the Manchester United forward has done enough already not to be doubted at a tournament.
”Ronaldo will never be a problem for the national team. Never. Never. He brought us to the top. Not only him, of course, but he’s not a problem. He’s a solution. He did everything for the national team, he fought for us. and he scored, scored, scored and scored again …
“In the last twenty years he has shown that Portugal is among the best in the world. Right now everyone respects us, our strength, our quality and everyone thinks that, with Ronaldo, you can always win something “.
