Nigeria vs. Iran: Head To Head

The so much awaited game for the whole of the African continent, especially Nigeria is today. 8PM today, the over 160 Million population of the Nigerian people will test the depth and strength of the rebuilding process embarked upon by the coach of the national side Stephen Keshi.

Nigeria and Iran slug it out in Group F today to determine who will either top the group or stay closely second behind Argentina who defeated Bosnia 2-1 yesterday in the Maracana stadium, Rio de janeiro.

The Super eagles have so much prepared for this game that they have been given all that is required for a victory over the Iranians.

These two sides do not share much of a rivalry as they have only met just once in the course of international football; Nigeria defeated them in the first meet by just one goal and the whole of Nigeria will hope that the Eagles do so again but in more colourful fashion.

The one nil defeat of the Iranians back in 1998, in an international friendly played in Hong Kong, is not a welcome thing for the Nigerian as they will be expected to topple the less fancied Iranians in what is thought to be the easiest match for the Eagles.

While Iran will be having injured left-back Hasehm Beikzadeh back in the squad for the game, Nigeria's Kenneth Omeruo remains a doubt but could still play; Rueben Gabriel is very much not expected to play.

It has been goals galore since the first kick off of the World Cup, with 37 goals netted in 11 games, One can only hope thst the Super Eagles also enjoin this festival of goals as it would put them ahead on differences.

The Nigerian team may not find it easy to break through an Iranian team that has the record ofr the team with the most clean sheet during the qualifying phase of the World Cup, the irony in this game, between these two sides is; while Iran kept the mist clean sheets, Nigeria scored the lesser goals amongst any of the Brazil 2014 finalists, this could be a problem for the African Champions.

Nigeria has never won any World Cup game since their victory against Spain in France 1998, neither have Iran won any since the 98 edition too.

These two teams have the barest differences but the most significant similarities in this Group. During the World Cup preparatory friendlies, Nigeria played four friendlies, drawing three and then loosing the last to the American team:  The Iranians drew their first threw too but only that they won the last against Trinidad and Tobago.

Nigeria has been tipped to qualify with Argentina to the second round but it may not that easy, especially if anything short of a victory becomes the outcome tonight.

Nigerian coach Stephen Keshi has assured Nigerians that the team will fly past Iran, even the Skipper has promised 'no disappointment,' but the Iranian coach has bemoaned the team's poor preparation, thereby easing off tension from his side.

If Iran looses today, they will be loosing for nothing as they are not considered as major contenders in anyway.

Nigeria is winless in eight World Cup games, losing six and drawing two, anything short of a victory for the Super Eagles will be a huge disappointment from  a team that has received official backing from its seat of government.