Nigeria head coach, Jose Peseiro, believes the current Portuguese squad is the best the country has ever produced in history.
The Eagles were no match for the Euro 2016 winners as they lost their sixth straight defeat in friendly matches after succumbing to a 4-0 thrashing at the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon.
Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes tapped in for the home side after seven minutes and doubled the advantage from the spot in the 35th minute.
Emmanuel Dennis could have changed the direction of the game but wasted the good chance from the penalty spot and Gonçalo Ramos immediately added the third in the 83rd minute, before Joao Mario tap in sealed the win.
“I think this Portuguese team is the best generation,” Peseiro said in the post-match conference.
“In terms of age, experience and the leagues they play in. For me it is the best Portuguese team.
“Previous generations didn’t have this strength as most of them played in Portugal. They didn’t have that upgrade to play at that level.
“At the moment the Portuguese players are there. They’re as good as any we’ve ever had as they play for the best teams in the world, they’re not afraid to play against anybody.
“The individual quality of these players is tremendous and so is the competitive level. Our coaches and players did not have this dimension. That’s why I say it’s the selection with more solutions and more quality.
“Apart from France, who may be the most favourites, there is no one else to say that. Being world champion is more open.”
Still on the World Cup, Peseiro revealed that Fernando Santos believes the Selecao can win the World Cup in Qatar.
“I have a close relationship with him (Santos),” Peseiro continued.
“We spoke normally but he said that we believe we can be world champions. Portugal can play better than in the other European, in the eyes of what we like to see.
“We have the conditions to do that and expect to have the happiness we had at the European Championship. When you win, there is confidence.
“We have the potential and capacity to win and we hope that the happiness that has accompanied us does not abandon us but stay with us.”
Credit: punchng.com
