Glasgow Rangers of Scotland defender, Emmanuel Oluwasegun Opeyemi Fernandez says he and his colleagues in Nigeria’s national team are flying out to Portugal with a view towards winning next week’s international friendly in Lisbon.
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Sports24 reports that the lad, who got his Nigeria debut on March 27th, as a substitute in a 2-1 victory against Iran, admitted it will not be an easy task to upstage Cristiano Ronaldo’s side on their home turf, but declared that it will be achieved.
Fernandez added that all players in the Eagles’ camp are beaming with delight, following their 2-2 draw with Poland on Wednesday, which he acknowledged boosted their morale further, after last weekend’s Unity Cup success in London.
The enterprising stopper, who played the first 45 minutes of the midweek clash in Warsaw and was replaced by Semi Ajayi at the start of the second half, admitted he felt disappointed with both goals conceded against the Poles.
He, however, stressed that playing a draw away to a top team like Poland, complete with Robert Lewandowski, was a huge achievement, which can be repeated or even surpassed during the upcoming friendly versus Portugal.
“I think we have done well in moments, but what we conceded is not something we want to happen. As a team and collective, we have done well and we created chances to win the game. Everyone is fit and ready to take on Portugal next week.
“I think we are going to go there with the same fire we came here and go there for a win,” projected Fernandez, who began his career as a youth team player in the squads of Brentford and Gillingham United of England.
While at Gillingham, he spent time on loan at Sheppey United and Margate FC, then played for Ramsgate, Peterborough United, Spalding United and Barnet, with the last two being loan deals, until he signed for Rangers in July 2025.
