Astonishingly, neither team have won a World Cup match for 16 years, despite appearing in three tournaments since the 1998 edition. After making their debut in 1994, the Super Eagles made it out of the group stage in 1998 only to be knocked out in the Round of 16 for the second consecutive tournament. The African country then crashed out in the group stages in 2002 despite a creditable 0-0 draw against England. After missing out on the 2006 edition in Germany, Nigeria qualified for South Africa only to crash out again in the group stage. The Super eagles, alongside Ivory Coast are the only African nations that qualified in undefeated fashion. However, out of four pre- World Cup warm up matches, Stephen Keshi’s men were only able to manage 2 draws and a defeat to USA.
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Iran, on the other hand, beat Trinidad and Tobago and drew Angola, Montenegro and Belarus. Iran have never advanced past the group stage in this competition and with Bosnia losing to Argentina via a Lionel Messi strike, coach Carlos Queiroz will be hoping Iran move into second position by beating Nigeria. A draw just wouldn’t cut it in this match. Iran are the highest ranked team in Asia and have a good defensive record which will come in handy against a Nigerian attack that boasts of Premier League stars like Victor Moses, Osaze Odemwingie and Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi.
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TEAM NEWS
Nigeria have no fresh injury worries after highly rated full back Elderson Echiejile suffered a muscle tear in the friendly against Greece and was ruled out of the World Cup. 23-year old Juwon Oshaniwa who has just 10 caps will probably fill in the void Echiejile at left back.
Iran have no injury concerns and coach Carlos Queiroz will have a full squad to chose from. Germany-based Iranian goalkeeper Daniel Davari will probably start in goal in the place of Rahman Ahmadi. Team captain Javad Nekounam will start at the base of midfield with Fulham midfielder Ashkan Dejagah on the wings.
Possible Line ups
Nigeria (4-3-3) : Enyeama; Ambrose, Oboabona, Omeruo, Oshaniwa; Mikel, Onazi, Azeez;
Moses, Musa, Emenike
Iran (4-2-3-1) : Davari; Beitashour, Hosseini, Sadeghi, Pooladi; Nekounam, Teymourian;
Haddadifa, Shojaei, Dejagah; Ghoochannejhad
KEY BATTLE
Chelsea winger Victor Moses is a fast exciting winger who likes to cut inside opponents. Moses will be dangerous on the counter attack and the Iranian full backs will have to put in a solid shift to have any chance of containing him.
ONE TO WATCH
Iran striker Reza Ghoochannejhad scored nine goals in Iran’s 11 Asian Cup qualifiers, winning the tournament’s golden boot. The Charlton Athletic player will relish the opportunity of playing against top shot stopper Vincent Enyeama.
PREDICTION
As said earlier, a draw here would seriously damage either side’s chances of making out of the group. Nigeria will look to dictate play with John Mikel Obi calling the shots in midfield and looking to release Ahmed Musa and Victor Moses on the wings.
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