TheCable

Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has acknowledged that Monday’s opponents Iran are something of an unknown quantity.

Nigeria meet Iran in their Group F opener, and with red-hot favourites Argentina in same group, the most realistic aim for both is likely a second-place finish behind the-two World Cup champions.

Picking the maximum points against Carlos Queiroz’s men could prove vital in avoiding an early elimination, but former Nigeria international Keshi is in the dark as to what threat they will pose.

Although Iran have never made it out of the group stage at a World Cup, Keshi is mindful of the experience of their coach and the danger possessed by some of their players.

“We have to go out with everything that we have. They have a very good coach and I’m sure they also have some quality players,” he told FIFA.com.

“We don’t know Iran very well, but we’ll see them on Monday.”

Quieroz, aside being the former number-two to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, has managed a host of nations, including South Africa and Portugal, and has also had a stint as coach of Real Madrid.

This impressive CV is what Keshi believes will stand Iran in good stead when the nations meet in Curitiba.

“I think an experienced coach is their biggest weapon. He’s well experienced, he knows the game well,” Keshi added.

“For the Iran game we have to be focused. We have to concentrate and do our job. We’re not going to take Iran lightly because they’re not going to take us lightly.”