By Victor Kanayo
As the 2022 World Cup begins on Sunday November 20 in Qatar, Nigeria’s Super Eagles Coach Jose Peseiro has named France and his country – Portugal as two main contenders to lift the trophy.
Defending champions France are one of the front runners as well as Argentina, are believed by many to lift this year’s mundial.
Portugal have in their ranks some of the best players in the world including Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes and have been handed a favorable group, with Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea their opponents in Group H.
France are aiming to become only the third country to win back-to-back World Cups after Italy and Brazil, and will be counting on Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembélé, Antoine Griezmann, Karim Benzema and Marcus Thuram to deliver the goods.
On Portugal’s chances at the World Cup, Peseiro told aaid, “I think it’s the best generation. Even because of age, experience, the leagues they play in. For me it is the best Portuguese team.
“But with this comparison: we already had great teams, but they didn’t play in the leagues where these elements play. Previous generations didn’t have that strength, most 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, but 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, which may be the most favorite, there’s no one else you can say that to. Being world champion is more open.”
Portugal, without their ill talismanic captain Ronaldo, thrashed Nigeria 4-0 in their last game before their World Cup opener against Ghana, courtesy of goals from Bruno Fernandes, Gonçalo Ramos and João Mário.
Meanwhile, the first match of the highly-controversial tournament takes place at the Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday afternoon, as hosts Qatar lock horns with Ecuador in Group A.
Felix Sanchez Bas’s men are competing on the biggest international stage for the first time in their history, while the South American nation make their return to the World Cup finals after an eight-year absence.
