DO YOU KNOW THAT
Iran have won only one of their nine games at the World Cup, against USA in 1998 (2-1).
Carlos Queiroz’s side have never kept a clean sheet in a World Cup game.
Nigeria are winless in their last eight World Cup games (D2 L6).
It’s the longest current drought among the 32 teams taking part in 2014.
The one previous meeting between Iran and Nigeria came in a friendly in 1998; the Super Eagles won 1-0.
No team scored more goals than Iran in the 2014 Asian World Cup qualifiers (30).
Nigeria’s three goals at the 2010 World Cup all came from set piece situations (one penalty, one direct free kick and one from a throw-in).
Over half (11/21) of the goals that Nigeria have conceded at World Cups have come from set plays, however (three corners, two direct free kicks, four indirect free kicks and two penalties).
No goalkeeper kept more clean sheets in the top five European leagues in 2013/14 than Nigeria’s Vincent Enyeama (21, for Lille).
The last victory of Nigeria at the World Cup was in France 1998 against Bulgaria. It ended 1-0, scored by Victor Ikpeba in the 26th minute.
It is 3 days less 16 years without a win for Nigeria at the World Cup. Last victory was on the 19th June 1998.
No member of the Nigeria’s squad has ever score in a World Cup; Yobo made an assist in 2002.
POSSIBLE STARTING XI
Iran : Davari; Beitashour, Hosseini, Sadeghi, Pooladi; Nekounam, Teymourian; Haddadifa, Shojaei, Dejagah; Ghoochannejhad.
Nigeria: Enyeama; Ambrose, Oboabona, Omerou, Oshaniwa; Mikel, Onazi, Azeez, Moses; Odemwingie, Emenike.
