Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez has dismissed suggestions that Nigeria will be significantly weakened by the absence of star forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, insisting the Super Eagles possess enough quality and depth to remain a formidable opponent.

The two attackers will miss Nigeria’s international friendly against Portugal after being rested following a demanding club season and their involvement in the Super Eagles’ successful Unity Cup campaign.

Speaking ahead of the encounter, Martinez said he expects a challenging contest against a Nigerian side that continues to evolve under head coach Eric Chelle.

The former Belgium manager praised the Super Eagles’ tactical versatility, noting that Chelle has introduced different systems that allow the team to adapt effectively to various opponents.

“I expect a very competitive Nigerian team,” Martinez said during his pre-match media briefing.

“I enjoyed watching their recent game against Poland. I like the coach’s ideas and the different systems he uses. They have players who can perform in several positions, which gives them flexibility and makes them difficult to prepare for.”

Martinez acknowledged the absence of Osimhen and Lookman but stressed that Nigeria's strength extends beyond its headline names.

“Obviously, Osimhen and Lookman are not available, but Nigeria have many other players performing at a very high level,” he said.

“They remain a team with quality, experience and strong individual talents.”

The Portugal boss reserved special praise for Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi and Fulham defender Calvin Bassey, two players he believes embody the quality within the current Super Eagles squad.

“Players like Iwobi and Bassey are footballers I know very well. They bring experience, leadership and quality to the team,” Martinez added.

“I believe it will be a very competitive game and one that will help both teams in their preparations moving forward.”

Nigeria head into the fixture in confident mood after an encouraging international window that included victories over Zimbabwe and Jamaica in the Unity Cup, as well as a hard-fought draw against Poland in Warsaw.

For Chelle and his players, the clash against one of Europe’s elite nations presents another opportunity to test themselves against top-level opposition as preparations continue for future continental and global competitions.