Portugal will be without one of their most talented players, Barcelona playmaker Kika Nazareth, when they face Nigeria’s Super Falcons in a high-profile international friendly at the Estádio José Gomes in Amadora on Monday evening.

The 21-year-old attacking midfielder has been officially ruled out of the clash by head coach Francisco Neto, as confirmed by Portuguese outlet A Bola. Kika has not played since March 12, when she sustained a serious ankle ligament injury during a domestic cup match against Real Madrid—a setback that also forced her to miss the UEFA Women’s Champions League final.

Although the young star was included in Portugal’s provisional squad for the upcoming UEFA Women’s Euro 2025, her fitness remains a major concern. She participated in light training on Sunday, jogging with the squad before engaging in individual recovery drills. Further fitness assessments will be conducted in the coming hours to determine whether she can be included in the final Euro squad, which must be submitted to UEFA by midnight on Wednesday.

Kika has made 43 appearances and scored 10 goals for the Portuguese national team but has not featured since February. Her absence is a significant blow for the Navegadoras as they prepare to host the African champions in a critical pre-Euro test.

Meanwhile, the Super Falcons have already arrived in Lisbon and are expected to use the friendly as part of their final build-up to the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.