International Friendly: Saudi national team arrive Portugal, trains for Super Eagles encounter; 20 Super Eagles players in Camp

Saudi Arabia national male team has arrived Portugal in preparation for the international friendly game against Nigeria on Friday, October 13 at the Estádio Municipal de Portimão.

The Saudi delegation arrived at Faro International Airport, and was received by Badr Al-Majioul, the member of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Republic of Portugal.

Saudi Arabia is using the friendly game to prepare for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, which is being held in Qatar from Jan. 2 to Feb. 10, 2024.

Meanwhile, twenty Super Eagles players have arrived Portugal ahead of the doubleheader international friendly games against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique on October 13 and 16 respectively.

Francis Uzoho, Tyronne Ebuehi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Jordan Torunarigha, Kenneth Omeruo, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Chidozie Awaziem, Bruno Onyemaechi and Wilfred Ndidi are already in camp.

Others are Raphael Onyedika, Joe Aribo, Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, Umar Sadiq, Terem Moffi and Victor Boniface.

He said Frank Onyeka, Kelechi Iheanacho are expected today in Portugal revealing that both players had visa issues which has been sorted as new invitee Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s ticket had to be rerouted and is being expected.

For Adeleye Adebayo, the team’s spokesperson said the goalkeeper is trying to get a flight out of Israel due to the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel.

He added that some of the contingent from Nigeria are awaiting visas to be issued and when that is done they will be in Portugal.

There will be a gym session for the players around 10.30am and then a training session at 5pm.

Both friendly games are part of preparations for the Eagles for next month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

The Eagles will host Lesotho in the first round of the qualifiers before going away to face Zimbabwe on match day two.