Former Super Eagles Star Friday Ekpo Backs Nigeria to Shine Against Portugal and Poland in June Friendlies

Former Nigerian international Friday Ekpo has voiced confidence in the Super Eagles ahead of two high-profile international friendlies scheduled for June 2026, stating that the calibre of opposition will draw the best out of Eric Chelle‘s squad.

Nigeria are set to travel to Warsaw to face Poland on June 3, before heading to Leiria to take on Portugal on June 10. Both fixtures are part of the Super Eagles’ broader preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

“I am excited that the Super Eagles will be playing Portugal and Poland in an international friendly. These high-profile games will bring out the best in some of the invited players,” Ekpo told Complete Sports.

The former midfielder went further, pointing to the quality present across all three squads and anticipating competitive encounters when Nigeria lines up against the two European sides. “We have lots of quality players on both teams, and you can expect nothing but quality performance from Poland and Portugal when they face the Super Eagles,” he said.

Reflecting on the players called up for the friendlies, Ekpo added: “Again, seeing the list of invited players for the friendlies, I know we will see the best of the Super Eagles.”

For head coach Eric Chelle, the June fixtures represent a significant opportunity to trial tactical setups, examine player combinations, and measure his squad against elite European competition ahead of competitive action. Portugal, ranked among the world’s top sides and featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, and Poland, who have qualified for multiple major tournaments in recent years, provide stern tests of Nigeria’s current level.

Before the European tour, however, Nigeria will be in action closer to home. The Super Eagles are scheduled to participate in the 2026 Unity Cup in London, with a semi-final clash against Zimbabwe at The Valley set for May 26. The winners of that tie will progress to the final, where they will face either Jamaica or India.

The Unity Cup serves as an additional warm-up opportunity for Chelle’s side, giving fringe players a chance to stake their claim ahead of the June internationals. Nigeria’s performance in London and in Europe will likely shape the head coach’s thinking as AFCON 2027 qualifying approaches.