MORE ABOUT SUPER EAGLES GROUP F CONTENDERS

Let's talk more about Super Eagles' three group stage opponents and forecasts what the summer might bring for the Super Eagles in Group F

Nigeria will make her fifth FIFA World Cup appearance in Brazil, 20 years after making her debut under the stewardship of Dutchman Clemens Westerhof and captain Stephen Keshi. 

The Super Eagles are drawn with Iran, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Argentina in Group F and will open their campaign against Iran in Curitiba. 

Argentina are clear favourites to top the group but the African champions are definitely up there to make it out of Group F and into the next round. 

Let us, then, take a close look at the group, making the rounds of their opponents, examining what we can expect when play starts on June 16 as the countdown continues to the start of the tournament. 

Game 1: Iran, 16 June, 8:00pm WAT*, Curitiba. 

Does Queiroz hold the key to Iran's summer?

Nickname: Team Melli  

FIFA World Ranking: 43

Highest / Lowest FIFA ranking: 15 (July 2005) / 122 (May 1996) 

World Cup Titles: 0 (Best Finish: Group Stage, 1978, 1998, 2006) 

AFC Asian Cup Titles: 3 (Winners; 1968, 1972, 1976) 

Coach: Carlos Queiroz 

Captain: Javad Nekounam 

Key Players: Javad Nekounam, Reza Ghoochannejhad, Masoud Shojaei, Ashkan Dejagah. 

Record vs. Nigeria: 0 wins, 0 draws, 1 loss 

Nigeria and Iran will open Group F of the 2014 World Cup on June 16 with both teams knowing that a bad start will spell doom for their campaign, particularly with Argentina lying in wait. 

The Iranian national side head to Brazil as Asia's top dog, but their preparation for the tournament has been less than impressive. They played one international friendly match in June 2013, against Guinea in Tehran, which they lost 2-1.

Neymar Gives Brazil All the Scoring It Needs

Brazil held its collective breath after it fell behind, 1-0, in the 11th minute when Marcelo tipped the ball into his own goal. But 18 minutes later, the host nation could exhale again when Neymar evened the score with a left-footed shot that found its way just inside the right post. 

 for more Statistics go to The New York York Times

BRAZIL 2014: PARAPLEGIC TO TAKE THE FIRST KICK IN "IRON MAN-LIKE EXOSKELETON AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.

The Iron Man-like suit a paraplegic will wear to kick first ball of the World Cup, created by Brazilian scientist Miguel Nicolelis and his team in Sao Paulo, Brazil (AFP Photo/Ho)

The 2014 World Cup opening ceremony will feature all the pageantry and decadence to be expected from a FIFA production. There will be dancers and pop stars and lights and choreography just baffling enough to make you forget that it all precedes a football tournament that has little to do with any of it. But before Brazil play the first match against Croatia, a marvel of scientific innovation will be demonstrated on the pitch that should make it all worthwhile.

A paraplegic whose identity has been kept secret will leave their wheelchair behind and get into what's being described as an Iron Man-like exoskeleton that will allow them to take the tournament's first kick using signals from their brain. The robotic bodysuit was developed by Brazilian doctor Miguel Nicolelis and 156 scientist from around the world and is the product of 30 years of work. It's being unveiled at the World Cup's opening ceremony in Sao Paulo's unfinished stadium as an attempt to show that Brazil is investing in science and things beyond football — which the millions of Brazilian protestors who have been bitterly opposed to their government squandering billions on this World Cup and the 2016 Olympics would dispute.

From the AFP:

Electronic circuits in the device's "feet" will send a return signal to the user via an artificial skin worn on the arm, conveying the sensation of movement and contact.

"It's the first time an exoskeleton has been controlled by brain activity and offered feedback to the patients," Nicolelis, a neuroscientist at Duke University, told AFP.

"Doing a demonstration in a stadium is something very much outside our routine in robotics. It's never been done before."

Here's a video from the National Science Foundation that explains it a bit further...

BRAZIL 2014: 50 MOST SHOCKING WORLD CUP MOMENTS

SIT BACK, RELAX AND ENJOY... 50 MOST SHOCKING WORLD CUP MOMENTS

BRAZIL 2014: WORLD CUP OFFICIAL SONG, LYRICS AND VIDEO

Pitbull ft. Jennifer Lopez – We Are One lyrics | 2014 FIFA World Cup

Jennifer Lopez, Pitbull and Claudia Leitte perform at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

2014 FIFA World Cup Song – We Are One || Lyrics

Feature cast – Pitbull ft. Jennifer Lopez

Song Vocals by – Jennifer Lopez & Pitbull, Claudia Leitte

Produced by – Dr. Luke

Year – 2014

We Are One Song Lyrics || Jennifer Lopez & Pitbull, Claudia Leitte

BRAZIL 2014: LET THE GAME BEGIN......... OPENING CEREMONY

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE OPENING CEREMONY

 

Fans from around the world can finally stop counting down the days as the 2014 World Cup is actually upon us, set to begin with an exciting opening ceremony.

Like the Olympic Games, this international event cannot begin without fanfare. As the hosts, Brazil has planned an extraordinary show that will remind onlookers of the nation itself.

While fans expect to be entertained by the ceremony, it really just signifies the start of the biggest sporting event in the world. This means that there will be plenty of excitement just with the anticipation of the first kick-off between Brazil and Croatia.

Here is a look at all the information you'll need leading up to the opening ceremony and first match.

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When: Thursday, June 12
Where: Arena de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Opening Ceremony Time: