Nacional’s first team mix company with the likes of European champions Porto, Sporting Lisbon, Boavista and Benfica – and were responsible for nurturing Manchester United and Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo before he left for Sporting Lisbon.
Wanderers have blitzed any opponent in their way this season.
The team have a 100 per cent record in the league and are also in the semi-final of the Eric Amy Cup and manager Daryn Noble believes his boys will relish this challenge, no matter what the outcome.
‘This is a real opportunity for our boys to judge the standards we have reached in Jersey as measured against a much bigger European club,’ he said.
‘We are unbeaten this season, top of our league and in the semi final of the cup.
‘We have a richly talented team that includes many Island players and it will be interesting to see how we get on, but one thing is for certain, our lads are really looking forward to the match.’ There will be a presentation of both teams to Island football officials as well as Jersey Portuguese Consulate Carlos Santos Costa, prior to the 6.30 kick-off.
A post match reception will be held at the Hotel de Normandie for the players and officials of both clubs.
Said Wanderers’ official Bob Lawrence: ‘It’s a good stage for the boys to perform on and it may be something that will grow and develop with the club returning to the Island in the future.’ The match has been arranged by Luis Vieira from Estrela Travel Holidays, one of Wanderers’ main sponsors.
Additional sponsorship has come from Iberia Landscape Gardening, The Taste, Eurofoods and Wines Ltd and Fixleigh Knight & Co.
The sponsors have also arranged a mascot for each side.
Noble added: ‘We hope we will get a good crowd.
This is a unique opportunity for local football and we believe it will be an excellent game.
We expect them to be a very good footballing side.
‘We’ve drafted in three of our U14s to give them the experience of this sort of special occasion.
But whatever the result, we aim to enjoy the evening.’ The match kicks-off at 6.30pm and entry is free for the under-16s, with all other gate proceeds being donated to the Island U18 team.
There will also be a raffle to raise funds for the Island side, with a signed Southampton shirt being first prize.
