Iwobi to be presented with commemorative plaque tonight as he chalks up 100 Super Eagles caps

FULHAM playmaker Alex Iwobi is to be presented with a commemorative plaque today by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) celebrate his 100th Super Eagles appearance before he takes to the pitch in a friendly game against Portugal.

Iwobi, 30, has been one of Nigeria's most consistent players for the last decade and will file out today when the Eagles face Portugal in Lisbon. he joins a small list of elite players who have chalked up 100 caps including Vincent Enyeama and former captains Joseph Yobo and Ahmed Musa.

In his 99 appearances for the Super Eagles that began with a friendly game against DR Congo in 2015, Iwobi has scored 10 goals, and provided eight assists. Iwobi featured for Nigeria in the 2018 World Cup and was part of the 2019, 2021, 2023 and 2025 African Cup of Nations tournaments, winning one silver and two silver medals in the process.

Ahead of tonight's game, Super Eagles skipper Wilfred Ndidi, has warned the Portuguese that Nigeria  will not be intimidated by the fact that they are one of the favourites to win this year's World Cup. Portugal head into the game expected to win it on home soil at the Estadio Dr Magalhaes Pessoa, Leiria and are ranked as the fifth favourites to win the 2026 World Cup.

Their team will feature the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, Rafael Leão, Nuno Mendes, Bernado Silva, João Neves, Matheus Nunes, Pedro Neto, Gonçalo Ramos and Francisco Conceição, while Nigeria will be without star players Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman. However, Ndidi said the Eagles will not be fazed by this as the players believe in themselves.

Ndidi said: “We don’t care who we are playing, even if we’re playing the likes of the biggest countries in the world. But the most important thing is we as players, we as a team, which is very important and we look forward to taking our philosophy and our strategy to the game.”

Meanwhile, Super Eagles head coach, Éric Chelle has backed Portugal to emerge as World Cup champions. Mr Chelle said he is backing Roberto Martinez’s side to conquer the world for the first time in North America 2026.

Mr Chelle added: “This team, in one month, can be the next world champion. This is a big chance for us to play against Portugal in their country."

Portugal have been drawn in Group K alongside DR Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia. Portuguese forward, Francisco Trincão, added that Portugal is playing Nigeria because they have DR Congo in their group, highlighting the physical characteristics of both African teams.

He added: “We will strive to perform at our best. They are a team comparable to Congo, so we will play in accordance with our training. Our focus will be on ourselves rather than on Nigeria. It will be challenging but we aim to deliver a strong performance and enter the World Cup with confidence."