AFRICAN champions, the Super Eagles will tonight flag off their World Cup campaign when they battle Iran at the Arena da Baixada in Curitibia.

It is the first time both teams will be clashing at the World Cup, with Eagles fancying their chances of picking all three points, in a group, which also comprises Argentina and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

This is Nigeria’s fifth World Cup while it is the fourth for Iran, who qualified for the tournament thanks to their mean defence, which conceded just five goals in 10 Asian qualifying matches.

A combination of file pictures shows Nigeria’s forward Emmanuel Emenike (L) controlling the ball in Chester on June 3, 2014 and Iran’s striker Ashkan Dejagah advancing with the ball in Hartberg on May 26, 2014. AFP

”Iran’s qualification was like a crossing through hell”, admitted coach Carlos Queiroz after his team achieved their objective, and for the Portuguese, today’s match offers the best chance for them to cross to heaven.

But Nigeria are not a team prone to gifting games to the opposition and Coach Stephen Keshi wants to show in Brazil why they are the current champions of Africa.

The Super Eagles arrive in South America hoping to improve on their best return from a World Cup; they reached the round of 16 in 1994 and 1998.

Iran do not habitually create much chances but their strength, aside from their mean defence, lies in their aerial threat, and it is this which laid the foundations for their qualification.

Queiroz’s men go into Group F as heavy underdogs but if they are able to keep things tight at the back and get the ball into the penalty area from the flanks, they are capable of confounding the doubters.

Nigeria, for their part, are not the same team which finished bottom of their World Cup group in South Africa in 2010. Keshi has built a strong, dangerous team who were deservedly crowned kings of African champions last year.

Keshi varies his system depending on the opponent, but usually sets his team up in a 4-3-3 formation or a 4-2-3-1 which can become as attacking as a 4-2-4 when the situation allows it.

In team news, Germany-based Iranian Daniel Davari can expect to get the nod in goal over veteran Rahman Ahmadi.

He faces a busy afternoon against the likes of Premier League stars John Obi Mikel, Victor Moses and Osaze Odemwingie.

At the other end, Nigeria will call on the formidable Vincent Enyeama, who denied Lionel Messi with impressive saves in the 2010 finals in South Africa.

Iran coach Carlos Queiroz favours a 4-2-3-1 formation, with captain Javad Nekounam the midfield fulcrum to allow Charlton’s Reza ‘Gucci’ Ghoochannejhad and Fulham winger Ashkan Dejagah to counter-attack
Iran are the top-ranked side in Asia with an impressive defensive record and a manager with plenty of tactical acumen in former Manchester United assistant and Real Madrid coach Carlos Queiroz.

Neither side has enjoyed much World Cup success.
Likely Starting 11

Iran (Possible, 4-2-3-1): Davari; Beitashour, Hosseini, Sadeghi, Pooladi; Nekounam, Teymourian; Haddadifa, Shojaei, Dejagah; Ghoochannejhad.

Nigeria (Possible, 4-4-2): Enyeama; Ambrose, Oboabona, Omerou, Oshaniwa; Mikel, Onazi, Azeez, Moses; Odemwingie, Emenike.

Referee: Carlos Vera (Ecuador).