Super Eagles starting XI: Historic night for Iwobi; Akpan debuts; Ajayi, Bassey, Nnadi start

Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has announced his starting lineup for Wednesday's high-profile international friendly against Portugal at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

Nigeria head into the clash against the 2026 World Cup-bound side in impressive form, having gone eleven matches unbeaten in regulation time.

Chelle has made five changes to the team that battled to a 2-2 draw against Poland exactly one week ago, with one of those alterations seeing Alex Iwobi return to the starting lineup in midfield.

Emmanuel Fernandez, Igoh Ogbu, Abdullahi Bewene, Frank Onyeka and Terem Moffi have been left out of the starting XI, with the Slavia Prague centre-back ruled out of the match after suffering a serious injury during training.

Iwobi is set to make his 100th appearance for the Super Eagles, 10 years and 245 days after his debut against the Democratic Republic of Congo, becoming the fastest Nigerian player in history to reach the milestone.

Udinese's Player of the Season, Maduka Okoye, retains his place in goal despite suggestions that he could have done better with Poland's second goal, which was conceded deep into stoppage time last Wednesday.

The goalkeeper will be shielded by a back four comprising debutant Christian Akpan, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey and Bruno Onyemaechi.

Nigeria's newest centurion, Iwobi, is joined in midfield by captain Wilfred Ndidi and Tochukwu Nnadi.

Competing the starting lineup are Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Moses Simon and Akor Adams, who leads the line.

Super Eagles starting lineup: Okoye, Akpan, Ajayi, Bassey, Onyemaechi, Ndidi, Nnadi, Iwobi, Moses Simon, Dele-Bashiru, Adams

Portugal starting lineup: Costa; Dalot, Inacio, Dias, Semedo; Joao Neves, Vitinha; Trincao, Fernandes, Neto; Cristiano Ronaldo