Nigeria Grinds World Cup Fate With Iran Game

The so much anticipation that had held almost every Nigerian in this World Cup, concerning the Super Eagles, was fed and the taste is not satisafctory. African Champions Nigeria played its first game in Brazil and much to the disappointment of so very many expectant fans who envisaged a definite win for the Eagles over Iran.

Prior the game, the team assured Nigerians that they would not disappoint; but disappoint they did.

Nigeria had been touted as Africa's best chance at this World Cup but the players failed to prove this trust in them.

Playing against an Iran that was deficient in almost all departments on the field, Nigerian players let the Iranians dictate the score-line of the game.

A commentator described the game as 'rubbish, nonsense, ingredient.' Stephen Keshi and his boys threw away a golden opportunity for a possible, almost undeniable place lead into the second round.

There was lack of co-ordination in the team play; the team hardly completed any propitious pass or started any successful, creative attacking play from defence to the good finishing of a strike force.

Before the  game in Curitiba, every match in this World Cup recorded more than one goal and there had never been seen an 'easy win' game for Nigeria, given away.

Iran's defence has been described as the slowest and most sluggish in this World Cup, how couldn't Nigeria break through?

Keshi may not have the best choices in his starting eleven, if he wanted a win, he could approached the game with all seriousness.

The first half performance from the Africans was abysmal, clueless to say as the attackers had no idea what to do with the ball when they got in front of the opposition defence; they gave away opportunities cheaply, shooting without target and aim, loosing the ball to the charges of the Iranians when they should have decimated the Asians.

Nigeria didn't put up a good performance at all, the defence was lax that they drew Enyeama to a super save in the 34th minute of the first half.

All through the game: Nigeria was a team lacking in attacking prowess; A clumsy play from Onazi and a wasted effort by Emenike five minutes before the end of first half was the last of 'any (mis)calculated' play from the men in Green.

The game only seemed to have a bit of flair in the second half with a direct approach at goal; the introduction of Shola Ameobi and Osaze Odemwingie changed the game a little bit in the front attack for the Eagles. Though there was no goal, the duo pulled some strings in front of the Iranian defence.

Osaze's performance calls to question the reason behind his long stay at the bench, an overly unimpressed Keshi sat, dismayed on the bench as he watched an Oshaniwa fail to control a good ball that was at his beck and call.

The officiating was fair as it could be as there were no tensive plays to amount into any sanctioning or controversial calls, the game was ordinary; more ordinary than some street football games. The only booking in the game went to Iran's Andranik Timotian in 75 minutes, that at all wasn't the highlight of the game.