Stephen Keshi Speaks on Nigeria’s 2014 World Cup Opponents

Stephen Keshi was a member of the Nigeria side that lost 2-1 to the South Americans in 1994 and he is hoping things will be different this time around.

 Head coach of the Nigeria national team, Stephen Keshi has taken the time to give his thoughts on the Super Eagles’ three group opponents at the 2014 Fifa World Cup finals in Brazil.

On Friday, Nigeria was drawn alongside, Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iran in Group F and Keshi is full of respect for the three adversaries of the African champions.

Nigeria will be meeting Argentina in the preliminary stage of the competition having failed to avoid defeat in the three previous encounters in 1994, 2002 and 2010.

Keshi was a member of the Nigeria side that lost 2-1 to the South Americans in 1994 and he is hoping things will be different this time around.

“Argentina versus Nigeria is something that is becoming a recurring decimal. We keep playing against them at every World Cup. It’s good. We will see how it goes this time,” he said immediately after the draw ceremony in Costa do Sauipe, Salvador.

Keshi however confessed knowing little about the group’s two other sides, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iran.

“Not knowing Bosnia is a difficult thing but they are a good side. I think I’ve seen them once or twice on television.

“Iran? I’ve never seen them. For them to be here means they are a good team,” he added.

Nigeria’s first game at the 2014 World Cup finals is on June 16 against Iran at Arena da Baixada, Curitiba.

Five days later, the African champions face Bosnia-Herzegovina at the Arena Pantanal, Cuiabá before rounding off their first round campaign against one of the pre-tournament favourites, Argentina at the Estádio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre on June 25.

The Super Eagles have never gone beyond the second round of a World Cup.

-Supersport