The three-time African champions will be hoping to get back to winning ways and end the year on a high as they get ready for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches. Due to their heartbreaking qualification results, they will not be competing in Qatar. Off the back of a somewhat disappointing UEFA Nations League campaign, where they finished one point behind group winners Spain, Portugal will be looking to make their mark in Qatar. 

With Cristiano Ronaldo once again serving as captain, Portugal, which is competing in the World Cup for the sixth time in a row, has assembled a star-studded team in hopes of reaching their first-ever final. Nigeria, on the other hand, will head into Thursday looking to finally give their fans something to cheer for following what has been an underwhelming year.  The three-time African champions kicked off the year with a round-of-16 exit from the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations as they fell to a shock 1-0 defeat at the hands of Tunisia on January 23. Shortly afterward, the Super Eagles fell short in their bid for a place in Qatar as they were beaten by West African rivals Ghana on the away goal rule following a 1-1 aggregate draw in the qualifying playoffs in March. 

Nigeria's last friendly victory came back in March 2019, when they saw off seven-time AFCON champions Egypt 1-0 at the Stephen Keshi Stadium courtesy of an early strike from Genk forward Paul Onuachu. While Thursday's games are a warm-up outing, we expect Portugal to name a strong XI, with Danilo Pereira and Antonio Silva potentially pairing at the heart of the defense. Santos has plenty of options at the center of the park, with the likes of Joao Palhinha, William Carvalho, Ruben Neves, Matheus Nunesand Bruno Fernandes pushing for starting roles. As for Nigeria, in-form striker Victor Osimhen, who has netted nine goals in the Serie A this season, has withdrawn from the squad after picking up an injury while in action for Napoli at the weekend.