Brazil 2014: Fans in rage over Nigeria vs Iran Match

Brazil 2014: Fans in rage over Nigeria vs Iran Match

Tuesday, June 17, 2014 1:21 am


Nigeria's defender Kenneth Omeruo (L) fights for the ball with Iran's forward Reza Ghoochannejhad during a Group F football match between Iran and Nigeria at the Baixada Arena in Curitiba at the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 16, 2014. AFP PHOTO / BEHROUZ MEHRI

Nigeria’s defender Kenneth Omeruo (L) fights for the ball with Iran’s forward Reza Ghoochannejhad during a Group F football match between Iran and Nigeria at the Baixada Arena in Curitiba at the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 16, 2014. AFP PHOTO / BEHROUZ MEHRI

Some of Nigeria’s football loving fans have expressed rage and dismay over Monday’s match against Iran in Curitiba, ending in a tasteless goalless draw, the first to be recorded at the 2014 World Cup, with Nigeria clearly losing a good chance to gain three points in the Group F fixture.

A torrent of reactions began pouring in, soon after the game commenced with some concluding that it was “the worse match so far”, as both sides played out a turgid 0-0 draw.

In stark contrast to the attacking nature of the tournament since the World Cup kicked off in Brazil, neither side showed much creativity and the final whistle was met by a cacophony of boos from the mainly Brazilian crowd.

Nigeria’s first African winner of the Pulitzer Prize and foreign editor for Newsday, Dele Olojede clearly unimpressed by the performance of Steve Keshi’s 11-man team against Carlos Queiroz’s Iranian side, said on Twitter, “Nigeria vs Iran: The worst match so far,” tagging the Super Eagles, as unfocused and unprepared.”

Olojede even went on to says, “I will be surpised if John Mikel Obi still has a spot on the Chelsea team next season.”

Another fan berated the match for its “aimless passes,” “lack of ball control” and “no bite.”

Many of the fans had defied the rain and usual blackout, creating cluster groups at various viewing centre’s and hangouts scattered in major cities, to watch the match Live, while some said they bought enough petrol to power their generators.

Unswayed by the immediate reaction of the Brazilian crowd at the end of the game, Iran coach Queiroz, celebrated his teams performance, believed to be perhaps the least fancied of the 32 nations.

“I must praise my players, they more than deserved this draw,” said the 61-year-old, who guided his native Portugal to the 2010 World Cup finals.

“The most important thing is that everything is now open to us.”

After a bright start from Nigeria, it was Iran who forced the only meaningful save from Vincent Enyeama as the Lille goalkeeper parried Reza Ghoochannejad’s headed effort.

A point apiece leaves both sides tied for second place in Group F with Argentina leading the way thanks to their 2-1 win over Bosnia and Hercegovina on Sunday.

And Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel was left to reflect on a frustrating afternoon which sees their next match with Bosnia take the look of a game that will decide who finishes second in the group


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