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The Super Eagles suffered their first defeat in 20 matches
against Uruguay in the on-going Confederations Cup on
Thursday, ending a run which started in October 2010,
while Spain became the first team to reach double figures in
the tournament’s history after beating Tahiti 10-0 in Rio de
Janeiro.
However, the African champions do have some history on
their side. The only time the two sides have met was at the
1998 FIFA World Cup, when Nigeria defeated Spain 3-2 in
the group stage. That enabled them to top the group and
qualify for the last 16, while Spain finished third and were
eliminated.
The game also brings together Juan Mata, Fernando Torres,
Cesar Azpilicueta and John Obi Mikel who are team-mates at
English Premier League side Chelsea.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
*VICTORY CELEBRATION.. Super Eagles players celebrate
after scoring a goal at the Confederations Cup in Brazil. Can
they have a dance when they meet Spain today?
In theory, both sides have everything to play for.
Mathematically, Nigeria and Spain can still qualify for the
semi-finals and also exit the competition. Spain need a point
to be certain of taking top spot, while Nigeria need to [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
and hope their goal difference is better than Uruguay’s at
the end of the game.
Six players are treading a disciplinary tightrope. [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
for the Super Eagles’ Joseph Akpala, Michael Babatunde and
Kenneth Omeruo and Spain’s Alvaro Arbeloa, Santi Cazorla
and Gerard Pique would see them miss a semi-final clash.
Spain are unbeaten in their last 14 matches at major
international tournaments (2010 FIFA World Cup, UEFA EURO
2012, FIFA Confeder-ations Cup 2013). Brazil hold the record
of 28 without a defeat from 1993 to 1998.
Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi is not giving up hope of still
qualifying from the group, stressing in an interview to
fifa.com that, “Anything can happen against Spain.
Everything is achievable, it depends on how much desire
you have in you. How badly you want it and of course an
element of luck to be on your side. I cannot question the
boys’ level of commitment and their loyalty.”
against Uruguay in the on-going Confederations Cup on
Thursday, ending a run which started in October 2010,
while Spain became the first team to reach double figures in
the tournament’s history after beating Tahiti 10-0 in Rio de
Janeiro.
However, the African champions do have some history on
their side. The only time the two sides have met was at the
1998 FIFA World Cup, when Nigeria defeated Spain 3-2 in
the group stage. That enabled them to top the group and
qualify for the last 16, while Spain finished third and were
eliminated.
The game also brings together Juan Mata, Fernando Torres,
Cesar Azpilicueta and John Obi Mikel who are team-mates at
English Premier League side Chelsea.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
*VICTORY CELEBRATION.. Super Eagles players celebrate
after scoring a goal at the Confederations Cup in Brazil. Can
they have a dance when they meet Spain today?
In theory, both sides have everything to play for.
Mathematically, Nigeria and Spain can still qualify for the
semi-finals and also exit the competition. Spain need a point
to be certain of taking top spot, while Nigeria need to [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
and hope their goal difference is better than Uruguay’s at
the end of the game.
Six players are treading a disciplinary tightrope. [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
for the Super Eagles’ Joseph Akpala, Michael Babatunde and
Kenneth Omeruo and Spain’s Alvaro Arbeloa, Santi Cazorla
and Gerard Pique would see them miss a semi-final clash.
Spain are unbeaten in their last 14 matches at major
international tournaments (2010 FIFA World Cup, UEFA EURO
2012, FIFA Confeder-ations Cup 2013). Brazil hold the record
of 28 without a defeat from 1993 to 1998.
Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi is not giving up hope of still
qualifying from the group, stressing in an interview to
fifa.com that, “Anything can happen against Spain.
Everything is achievable, it depends on how much desire
you have in you. How badly you want it and of course an
element of luck to be on your side. I cannot question the
boys’ level of commitment and their loyalty.”
