France coach Didier Deschamps has admitted that his team face a tough clash when they take on Nigeria in the last 16 of the Brazil 2014 World Cup in Brasilia on Monday .
Although the Super Eagles lost 3-2 to powerhouse Argentina in their last group game in Porto Alegre on Wednesday, they qualified for the second round along with the La Albiceleste, after Bosnia beat Iran 3-1 in the other Group F encounter.
France played out a goalless draw against Ecuador on Wednesday to corroborate their place at the top of Group E – to meet Nigeria in the round of 16.
1998 world champions Les Blues and the Eagles have only met once – in a cordial affair at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in France on June 2, 2009. Joseph Akpala got on the scoresheet after 32 minutes to avail the Eagles to a 1-0 victory.
Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama and Osaze Odemwingie played for Nigeria while Authentic Madrid star Karim Benzema, Patrick Evra and Loic Remy, who are in France’s 2014 World Cup squad, played for Les Blues.
And Deschamps, who was impressed with the Eagles’ performance, despite losing to two-time world champions Argentina on Wednesday, verbally expressed France must “fight” again to get past Nigeria to seal their place in the quarterfinals.
“Some people thought we were the kings of the world after beating Switzerland (5-2) but Ecuador showed they have qualities, and Argentina had an arduous match against Nigeria, the France ’98 World Cup triumpher was quoted by Skysports as saying on Thursday.
“Nigeria are a vigorous, expeditious team who have great qualities and it is going to be a genuinely arduous match and we will have to fight.”
The former Chelsea Deschamps, who made six changes to his commencement line-up against Ecuador, bulwarked his cull for the clash.
“My team cull was not by chance and it’s consequential that all players get into the rhythm. Now we have five days to prepare for our game against Nigeria.”
