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OVERVIEW This is the first International meeting between the two countries. Nigeria qualified as winners of 2013 Africa Cup of Nations while Tahiti qualified as winners of Oceania Cup. The match will be staged at Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte and will kick off by 8pm (Nigerian Time). Former Nantes and ex-France U-21 striker, Marama Vahirua, the only professional in the Tahiti squad, will make his debut against Nigeria. Captain Nicolas Vallar has shaken off an ankle injury and should start for the Oceania champions. Nigeria’s squad only arrived in Brazil on Sunday morning, having missed their initial scheduled flights because of a dispute over bonus payments. Nigeria is missing the key trio, Ogenyi Onazi, Victor Moses and Emmanuel Emenike who were instrumental in their continental win earlier in the year. Nigeria is expected to walk over Tahiti’s team of amateurs. A win for the Oceania champions will be the shock of the tournament so far. Nigeria remain unbeaten under Stephen Keshi (17 games on the trot) but have won just one game since their AFCON triumph in February. Belo Horizonte has witnessed an upset in the past- hosting England’s shock 1-0 defeat to USA at the 1950 World Cup. MATCH FACTS Head-to-head Tahiti and Nigeria have never met in a senior international. However, they did play at the 2009 Under-20 World Cup in Egypt. Nigeria won 5-0 to leave Tahiti pointless and with 21 unanswered goals conceded in their three games. Tahiti’s twin brothers Lorenzo and Alvin Tehau were both sent off – for two yellow cards – at the match at the Cairo International Stadium. Tahiti have lost five of their last six competitive games – scoring just two goals – since winning all five of their Oceania Nations Cup games to qualify for the Confederations Cup. The starting XI could feature four members of the Tehau family. Twins Lorenzo and Alvin are joined by older brother Jonathan and cousin Teaonui in the squad. The Tehau quartet scored 15 of Tahiti’s 20 goals in their Oceania Nations Cup success. Tahiti’s only professional player, Marama Vahirua, is set to make his international debut against Nigeria, having previously been unavailable due to club commitments in Europe. Nigeria remains unbeaten through their last 17 games, most recently drawing 1-1 with Namibia on Wednesday. Their last defeat was by 1-0 in May 2012 against Peru in Lima. Victory against Namibia would have ensured the Super Eagles’ progression into the next round of World Cup qualifying. They now need a point from their last group game against Malawi. Nigeria has played more internationals in 2013 (11) than any other team at the Confederations Cup. Godfrey Oboabona scored the equaliser against Namibia last time out and has played every minute of every Nigeria game in 2013. The Super Eagles scored eight goals in clinching the Africa Cup of Nations title in January. Six of those came from players who aren’t in Brazil due to injury: Emmanuel Emenike (4) and Victor Moses (2).

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This article was first published on 17th 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.