Victor Osimhen’s absence from Nigeria’s international friendly against Portugal has denied football fans the opportunity to witness a potentially thrilling duel with Cristiano Ronaldo, former Super Eagles coach Jo Bonfrere has told Completesports.com exclusively.
The Dutch tactician believes a contest featuring two of world football’s most influential strikers on the same pitch would have been a fascinating spectacle.
Bonfrere, 79, spoke to Completesports.com on Monday night from his country home in the Netherlands against the backdrop of the Super Eagles’ international friendly match against Portugal, billed to hold inside the 23,888-capacity Estadio Dr. Magalhaes Pesso, Leiria , Portugal.
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Wednesday’s clash will be only the second meeting between the two countries at senior level, with the Portuguese claiming a 4-0 victory in their first encounter on 17 November 2022 in Lisbon.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal are preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals in Mexico, the USA and Canada, while the Super Eagles are rebuilding ahead of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
Coach Eric Sekou Chelle left Osimhen out of the squad for Wednesday’s encounter as part of fitness management precautions and to allow the Galatasaray forward to resolve his club future with the Turkish side.
Ronaldo plays his club football for Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia, the current Saudi Pro League champions.
Osimhen’s Absence Denies Fans Dream Ronaldo Showdown
But Bonfrere lamented Osimhen’s unavailability for the high-profile fixture, insisting it would have been a spectacle watching the two influential forwards face each other for the first time.
“Portugal will play with caution to avoid injuries before the World Cup kicks off next week,” Bonfrere began on Wednesday night.
“But I don’t know if Cristiano Ronaldo will play. But if he does, I think it would be interesting watching a game with two great strikers competing against each other. But Victor Osimhen will not play because he isn’t listed in the Nigeria squad for the match.
“It would have been interesting to watch the two big strikers face each other in a big game. Unfortunately, Nigeria isn’t going to the World Cup, so we may not see the two great strikers play against each other on the same stage.”
Bonfrere Laments Nigeria’s Continued World Cup Absence
Bonfrere went on to rue Nigeria’s absence from the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals, which kick off this week — on Thursday 11 June 2026 — despite Africa being represented by as many as 10 countries for the first time; Algeria, Cape Verde, DR Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia.
He pointed out that missing the World Cup finals on two consecutive occasions is “too bad” for Nigeria and deprives great players like Osimhen and other Super Eagles players of the opportunity to measure themselves against the world’s best.
“Nigeria is bigger than most of the countries that will represent Africa at the World Cup. The Super Eagles are among the best in the world with great talents. But they are not going to the World Cup for the second time in a row. Shame!
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“It would have been great watching them at the World Cup — great players, rich culture and excellent skills on the pitch.
“Not playing in the World Cup finals for the second time in a row is too bad for Nigeria and a loss for the players.”
Bonfrere’s Remarkable Legacy With Nigerian Football
Bonfrere assisted Clemens Westerhof when the Super Eagles won the silver medal at the 1990 AFCON in Algeria. He was also one of Westerhof’s lieutenants when Nigeria secured the AFCON bronze medal in 1992 in Senegal.
In 1994, Bonfrere was also with Westerhof when Nigeria won the AFCON title in Tunisia and went on to qualify for the FIFA World Cup finals in the USA, where the Super Eagles reached the second round before crashing out following a 2-1 defeat to Italy.
However, Bonfrere began his own chapter in Nigerian football by masterminding the Nigeria U-23 Eagles’ triumph at the men’s football event of the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, following a 3-2 victory over Argentina in the final.
Under Bonfrere, the Super Eagles finished as runners-up at the 2000 AFCON jointly hosted by Ghana and Nigeria, losing to Cameroon on penalties in the final in Lagos.
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