Nigeria, Iran play World Cup’s first goalless game

The Super Eagles of Nigeria returned to the global stage to play out a goalless draw at a World Cup that had yielded goals in each of the preceding 12 encounters.

The result means Nigeria has now failed to win any of its last nine World Cup games, the last being the 1-0 victory over Bulgaria on June 19, 1998, at the tournament hosted and won by France.

Nigeria started the brighter side, retaining possession and attempting to penetrate Iran’s well-packed defence.

But the team soon grew impatient and started pumping long balls forward as early as midway into the first half.

The Super Eagles came close on a couple of occasions, but poor decision-making and a lack of the final, killer touch scuppered whatever chances that could have resulted into a goal.

Iran had only one clear-cut chance at goal, and it would have been 1-nil had Vincent Enyeama not pulled out a spectacular save.

Nigeria resumed the second half on the front foot, but the Iranians sat deeper than they did in the first half.

Unlike the first half, Iran had no real moment of threat. But Shola Ameobi, who replaced Victor Moses (surprisingly) early into the second half, came close on two occasions, first agonisingly directing a header wide, and then narrowly being prevented by an Iran defender from nodding the ball into an empty net.

The introduction of Osaze Odemwingie for Ramon Azeez added impetus and creativity to Nigeria’s attack, but it appeared too little too late, as Iran seemed contented to wind down the clock and avoid a defeat against the more fancied Nigerians.

Nigeria next play Bosnia and Herzegovina on Saturday at the Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba, in what has now become a must-win match, else the team slips into at best third place on the group’s log.