Troubled Africa’s representative, the Super Eagles of Nigeria, have a huge task when they square up with their Tahiti counterparts in the group opening game on Monday at the Estadio Governador Magalhaes Pinto, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais.
The Africa Cup of Nations champions have seen their preparations hampered, giving the small Polynesian Island a glimmer of hope of causing an upset.
Nigeria, troubled by a dispute between the squad and the nation’s football federation, will see Tahiti hope to pull off one of the greatest shocks of international football.
The Oceania Champions will be buoyed by the fact the Super Eagles are without Victor Moses, Emmanuel Emenike, Kalu Uche and Ogenyi Onazi through injury, while hoping centre-back Nicollas Vallar recovers from an ankle injury in time to aid their cause.
Nigeria qualified for the tournament after winning the Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-0 win over Burkina Faso.
The Super Eagles appeared in the original version of the competition – the King Fahd Cup back in 1995.
Nigeria beat Japan 3-0, drew 0-0 with Argentina and 1-1 with Mexico in that tournament – meaning they remain unbeaten in the Confederation Cup.
Tahiti are ranked 138th while Nigeria are 31 in the world.
The Polynesian Island like to keep it in the family.
Alvin, Lorenzo and Jonathan Tehau are brothers, while cousin Teaonui also plays for the national side.
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