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Venue & date:Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador; Thursday, 20 June This is the first meeting between the two countries. Uruguay won the Copa America in 2011 to book their participation in the competition. Stephen Keshi has said Ogenyi Onazi won’t be available for the match and it’s too late for the Super Eagles to call up a replacement meaning Nigeria will have to make do with what they have. Keshi had been hopeful of Onazi’s return for Eagles’ second group match – against the South Americans but things didn’t go according to plan. Uruguay coach, Oscar Tabarez named his team in a press conference on Wednesday. Diego Forlan will start in a formidable attack, alongside Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez. Both teams will be going for maximum points – if Nigeria wins, they will qualify for the semi-finals. A loss will spell the end of road for the former World Champions. Uruguay was powerless in the opening fixture against Spain and is in dire need of a win. Hat-trick hero, Nnamdi Oduamadi needs to replicate the form he showed against the Polynesian country, Tahiti in the opening game. His hat-trick prompted AC Milan chief, Adriano Galliani to instruct AC Milan coach, Massimilino Allegri to recall the Nigerian from his loan spell at Serie B side Varese. Despite scoring six goals past Tahiti, Super Eagles’ performance wasn’t convincing and they will need to perform better against Lugano and co. Super Eagles’ poor outing could be blamed on the discord in the team over match bonus, which made them arrive in Brasil 24 hours before the game. MATCH FACTS Nigeria and Uruguay have never met in a senior international. Nigeria has been unbeaten in their last 18 games. Their last defeat came in May 2012, 1-0 against Peru in Lima. Despite their impressive recent record, the Super Eagles have only kept four clean sheets in their last 15 games. Nnamdi Oduamadi’s hat-trick against Tahiti means he has now scored four goals in his first six internationals for Nigeria. Uruguay only made 25 more passes (95) in the first half of their tournament opener than Spanish midfielder Xavi. Defeat against Spain means La Celeste have only won three of their last 11 matches. Luis Suarez has scored 11 goals in his last 14 matches for Uruguay and his goal against Spain moved him level with Diego Forlan as Uruguay’s all-time top scorer with 33. Forlan, meanwhile, has not scored in his last 12 internationals but is set to win his 100th cap against Nigeria.

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This article was first published on 20th June 2013

arinzeude

Arinze Ude is a PhD Student at the University of the West of England Bristol, UK, where he's exploring on the mechanisms of donor cell leukaemia. He shares his deep thoughts on his blog and the Naked Convos. He is keen to promote personal development of the Nigerian youth via thought-provoking articles.