…Rafiu Durosinmi out, defender Christian Akpan in
Alex Iwobi and Genk defender Christian Akpan have joined the Super Eagles camp in Lisbon ahead of Nigeria’s international friendly against World Cup-bound Portugal on June 10.
Iwobi, who missed Nigeria’s Unity Cup triumph in May and was also unavailable for Tuesday’s 2-2 friendly draw against Poland, arrived in Lisbon to link up with the squad as preparations intensify for the high-profile clash.
Also joining the camp is 21-year-old Christian Akpan, who has received his maiden Super Eagles call-up. The invitation is part of head coach Eric Chelle’s ongoing efforts to identify and integrate some of Nigeria’s most promising talents from across the globe.
According to the team’s media officer, Promise Efoghe, Pisa striker Rafiu Durosinmi has been excused from camp to attend to urgent personal matters. A total of 19 players travelled from Poland to Portugal following the friendly in Warsaw.
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Providing an update on the squad, Efoghe said:
“19 players travelled from Poland to Portugal. Rafiu Durosinmi was excused to attend to private matters. Alex Iwobi and Genk defender Christian Akpan have joined the squad in Lisbon, while Samuel Chukwueze is expected to arrive on Friday.”
Chukwueze was granted leave from both the Unity Cup and the Poland friendly as he mourned the passing of his mother and attended her burial rites.
Nigeria will take on Portugal in what will be the European side’s final friendly before the FIFA World Cup. The match serves as a crucial tune-up fixture for the Portuguese, who have been drawn alongside DR Congo in Group K.
For Chelle and his team, the encounter presents another opportunity to test themselves against elite opposition and build momentum ahead of future competitive assignments.
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