Argentina Vs Nigeria – Estadio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre @7.00pm
Bosnia Vs Iran – Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador @7.00pm
The battle for a slot in the round of 16 at the 2014 World Cup takes centre stage in group F when former winners Argentina face Nigeria while Iran entertain Bosnia.
Argentina Vs Nigeria:
African champions Nigeria have so far collected four points after a barren draw with Iran in their opener before beating Bosnia 1-0 in their second game thus need just a draw to join Argentina in the next round.
Argentina won their two openers (2-1 Vs Bosnia and 1-0 Vs Iran) thus have six points and top the standings.
Though the South Americans are already through, they need at least a draw to top the group and probably avoid meeting France in the next round as they are likely to top group E. A loss for Argentina will imply the African champions finish as group leaders.
Coach Stephen Keshi welcomes back defender Godfrey Oboabona from injury but may opt to remain with skipper Joseph Yobo. Emmanuel Emenike and Peter Osaze Odemwingie are expected to lead the Super Eagles attack.
Nigeria comes into the game with the best defensive record in the tourney so far having conceded no goal so far in the campaign but face their hardest task of stopping an attack led by Lionel Messi who has scored 22 goals in his previous 22 appearances for the national team.
The two sides have met four times with the South Americans winning three (all World Cup group stage meetings) while Nigeria have won one; a friendly in which Argentina fielded unfamiliar faces.
Nevertheless, Nigeria can even advance if Iran fails to beat Bosnia in the other group game.
Bosnia Vs Iran:
Iran will be seeking to qualify for the round of 16 for the first time in history but they must beat Bosnia in their final group game and hope Nigeria loses to Argentina in the other group game.
The Iranians drew goal less with Nigeria in their opener but were heartbroken with a last gasp winner from Lionel Messi in their second game thus have one point from two games just two behind second placed Nigeria on the log.
Any win coupled with Nigeria’s loss will lift them to second behind Argentina in the group. Bosnia have only pride to play for as no result can take them to the next stage.