Nigeria

0 vs 0

Uruguay

Pre Match
June 20, 2013 11:00 PM WAT

 

Nigeria-Uruguay Preview: Super Eagles look to land knockout blow

Stephen Keshi's men were underwhelming in their 6-1 victory over part-time Tahiti and will face a sterner test against the South Americans, who are in desperate need of points

By Alec Fenn

Getty Images

It was a case of mixed fortunes for Nigeria and Uruguay in their opening Confederations Cup fixtures.

The history books will tell of a resounding 6-1 win for the Super Eagles over minnows Tahiti, but the Africa Cup of Nations champions were far from at their best and came in for criticism after the game.

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Dynamo Kiev striker Ideye Brown could be named in the starting XI at the expense of Anthony Ujah or Ahmed Musa - both of whom failed to score against the Polynesian island.

Uruguay endured struggles of their own, as they went down 2-1 to Spain, in what was very much a one-sided affair against the world and European champions, though Oscar Tabarez may give the same XI a second chance to impress on Thursday.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Victory for Nigeria will see them qualify for the Confederations Cup semi-finals.

• AC Milan forward Nnamdi Oduamadi scored a hat-trick in the 6-1 win over Tahiti, prompting Rossoneri chief Adriano Galliani to call for him to be promoted to the first team next season.

• The Super Eagles have kept just one clean sheet in their last five games but are unbeaten since defeat to Peru in May last year.

• Uruguay had just six shots to Spain's 16 in their 2-1 defeat on Sunday.

• The Copa America winners also enjoyed just 29% of possession, with la Roja dominating from start to finish.

• Luis Suarez (pictured, right) is Uruguay's top scorer in their 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign with eight goals. ----------------------- goal.com