Photo: Members of the French team (Getty Images)
Reigning African Cup of Nations champions Nigeria will be hoping to reach the quarter-finals as they take on 1998 World Champions France. The Super Eagles reached the final 8 back in 1998 and has not reached that stage since then but they may feel they have a genuine chance against this French Team.
France were quite impressive in the group stages finding the back of the net 8 times playing some excellent attacking and free-flowing football. Didier Deschamps knows all about winning the World Cup so he will try not to let his team peak too early. Having conceded just twice, Les Bleus are quite balanced with a solid base in defense and midfield allowing their attacking players to express themselves freely. They won two of their three games and recorded a draw amassing 7 points.
Nigeria finished with four points behind South American giants Argentina in Group F recording a victory, a loss and a draw. They managed to hit the back of the net 3 times but also conceded three goals. The Super Eagles showed signs of their genuine pace and creativity in attack but has not really hit their strides in Brazil as yet. They will hope that it comes against the French despite having issues over ‘Appearance Fees’ owed to them which has disrupted their preparations.
Deschamps should keep the services of captain Hugo Lloris in goal while Mamadou Sakho and Raphael Varane are likely continue their partnership which has been excellent so far in central defense. Mathieu Debuchy should return at right back after giving way to Bacary Sagna in the last match while Patrice Evra should be given the nod on the opposite side.
The midfield should comprise of the steely but mobile Blaise Matuidi, the silky-smooth Paul Pogba and the crafty pass master Yohan Cabaye. The attack will be lead by Karim Benzema who has three goals so far as well as Antoine Griezmann and Mathieu Valbuena.
Stephen Keshi is likely to retain Victor Enyeama in goal and he should be protected by Joseph Yobo and Efe Ambrose in central defense. Juwon Oshaniwa should be called upon for left back duties while Kenneth Omeruo could be used at right back. Omeruo can also play in central defense with Ambrose more than capable of filling in at right back.
Ogenyi Onazi should be partnered in the middle of the park with the calm and composed John Obi Mikel allowing the speedy Ahmed Musa and Victor Moses to bomb forward, providing the attacking threat from wide positions. Peter Odemwingie is likely to play off of point man Emmanuel Emenike. Musa has 2 of their 3 goals and with star man Moses struggling, the CSKA Moscow man must step up once again if they hope to get anything from this fixture.
Les Bleus are clear favourites to advance to the quarter-finals but there has been several upsets so far in the tournament. Deschamps will be well aware that Nigeria are capable of causing problems and his team will be prepared to play at their best for the entire fixture. Keshi’s men have nothing to lose so they will be entering the game with all guns blazing hoping to get one over on their former World Champions.
Players to Watch
France – Karim Benzema, Paul Pogba, Mathieu Valbuena
Nigeria – John Obi Mikel, Ahmed Musa, Emmanuel Emenike
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