Carlos Queiroz has built the Persian Stars a formidable and physical defensive unit but Stephen Keshi’s men need a win if they are to kick on from their 2013 Afcon triumph.
Iran and Nigeria will meet for the first time in their history at a World Cup when the Arena da Baixada stadium opens it doors on Monday for the first match in this city in the south of Brazil.
This is Nigeria’s fifth World Cup while and the fourth for Iran, who qualified for the tournament thanks to their mean defence, which conceded just five goals in 10 Asian qualifying matches.
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