As the African champions are poised to triumph against the French national team we look at some stats and facts to weigh these two teams.

France were sensational in their opener against honduras with a 3:0 win and more fascinating is the 5:2 thrashing of Switzerland, with massive swiftness and unity in their mid-field, and the attacking prowess of Karim Benzema alongside Antoine Griezmann, Blaise Matuidi good at ochesterating fine passes and creating chances and his pair-man Moussa Sissoko and not leaving out another key man Paul Pogba with the flank-man and pacey Mathieu Valbuena usually on the right, just to mention a few would be the focal point of France attack.

Let’s now balance this course with the Super Eagles side, coach Stephen Keshi usual suspects are Ahmed Musa, Emmanuel Emenike very pacey men with swift moves, Peter Odewingie has being inspirational in the starting line-up after that golden goal that saw the second round spot possible for the Nigerians, with the 4-2-3-1 formation that will include John Obi-Mikel who is more possessive than any other Nigerian player and Victor Moses who is likely to start, to add more sensitivity to the attack and Ogenyi Onazi who surges forward with an attitude so unique.

Now, how much can both sides defend the goal, Vincent Enyeama versus Hugo Lloris, the Nigeria goalie no doubt edges because as it stands he stands the number five spot in the Castrol index but Lloris is attentive but his defence will have to be sure his clean as we saw those two goals from the Swiss in the 5:2 win, the defence broken into cleanly the likes of Patrick Evra, Mathieu Debuchy Raphel Varane, Laurent Koscielny even Bakcary Sagna will need to put an effort to the Nigerian strikers who has no respect and bury their chances cleanly.

Still on the defence, the other side Efe Ambrose is known for running on the flanks an cutting in nicely but also have good marking ability and Griezmann would have a lot to do to deal with him, its either Joseph Yobo the captain or Godffrey Oboabonna who left the space for the captain due to injury, Yobo as been attentive but Oboabonna has made mark for his clean takes on strikers alongside Kenneth Omeruo who is always love to take down the players with the big names therefore Karim Benzema should beware and Juwon Oshaniwa who have developed impressively in the game after Elderson Echiejile was ruled out due to injury, now its left for 90 minutes even kicks from the penalty mark to do justice to the round of 16 cracker.

STATS

* Nigeria won the last meeting between the duo teams in a friendly game by 1-0

* In terms of friendlies, out of 14 friendlies France has won seven, drawn three, lost four, ie 50% win so far

* In terms of friendlies, out of 24 friendlies, Nigeria has won just seven, lost six, and drawn 11, ie 29.2% win so far

* Nigeria goes into the match with one win, two draw, two losses in last five matches (W1 D2 L2)

* France goes into the match with three wins and two draws in the last five matches (W3 D2 L0)

*Enyeama has kept two clean sheets in the last five games and conceded three

* Lloris has kept three cleans sheets in the last five games and conceded three

More stats to follow…

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