Nigeria’s Terem Moffi and Zaidu Sanusi are closing in on a major moment in their careers as FC Porto push towards the Primeira Liga title, Soccernet.ng reports.
If results go their way, the Dragons could be crowned champions as early as May 2. That would mean a first major club trophy for Moffi and a second league title for Sanusi, who was part of Porto’s 2022 triumph.
But standing in their way is an unusual challenge, an unbeaten SL Benfica side led by José Mourinho.
Benfica have not lost a single league game this season. Yet, surprisingly, they are still behind Porto in the table. After 30 matches, the Blue and Whites sit top with 79 points, while Benfica have 72 points despite their unbeaten record. The reason is simple: too many draws.
Why unbeaten Benfica are still chasing Porto
In modern football, wins matter far more than avoiding defeat. Each win brings three points, while a draw gives only one. Benfica have drawn nine matches this season, and those dropped points have cost them dearly.
While they remained difficult to beat under Mourinho, they often failed to finish games strongly, especially against smaller teams. Matches they could have won ended level, slowing their title charge.
There is also the issue of direct clashes. Benfica and Porto drew both of their meetings this season: 0-0 and 2-2. That meant Benfica missed the chance to close the gap directly.
When Mourinho arrived earlier in the season, Benfica were already behind Francesco Farioli's men. The former Chelsea boss steadied the team and made them hard to beat, but turning draws into wins has remained a problem. Now, with just four games left, Benfica could finish the season unbeaten, but still without the trophy unless Porto slip badly.
What Moffi and Sanusi's Porto must do to seal the title
The clear task before Porto at this point is simply to keep winning. They currently lead Benfica by seven points, with only 12 points left to play for. That means the Portistas need just six more points, two wins from their final four matches, to guarantee the title, no matter what Benfica do.
This is where Moffi and Sanusi come in.
Moffi, who joined Porto on loan from OGC Nice in January, has added energy and depth to the attack. While his numbers are still growing, his movement and link-up play have helped the 30-time winners stay sharp in crucial moments. He also made an impact in Europe, scoring in a win over VfB Stuttgart.
Sanusi, on the other hand, has been one of Porto’s most reliable players. From left-back, he offers both strong defending and support going forward. His performances have helped Porto build one of the best defensive records in the league.
Looking at the remaining fixtures, Porto appear to have the advantage. Their final matches are against teams in the lower half of the table, giving them a strong chance to pick up the points they need.
Benfica, meanwhile, face tougher opponents, including clashes that could force them to drop more points.
The message for Moffi, Sanusi and Porto is simply to stay focused, win the key games, and the title will be theirs.
