FIFA Confederations Cup 2013: One change for Nigeria against lowly Tahiti

Nigeria made just one, injury-enforced change for their Confederations Cup Group B opener against minnows Tahiti in Belo Horizonte on Monday, with Fegor Ogude coming in for Ogenyi Onazi in midfield.

Lazio midfielder Onazi was ruled out of the game after injuring his knee in Wednesday’s 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw with Namibia, but coach Stephen Keshi hopes he will still be able to play a part in the tournament.

Tahiti’s line-up contained two members of the Tehau family, with brothers Alvin and Jonathan both selected in midfield by coach Eddy Etaeta.

Alvin’s twin brother Lorenzo and cousin Teaonui were both named on the bench, while 33-year-old forward Marama Vahirua, the squad’s only professional player, was handed his international debut.

Tahiti, ranked 138th in the FIFA rankings, are appearing in their first senior international tournament after qualifying for the Confederations Cup by winning last year’s Oceania Nations Cup.

Nigeria’s preparations were disrupted by a row over bonus payments that meant the squad did not arrive in Brazil until the early hours of Sunday morning, just 36 hours before kick-off in their opening game.

Starting line-ups in the Confederations Cup Group B match between Tahiti and Nigeria at Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte on Monday (1900GMT kick-off):

Tahiti

Xavier Samin; Vincent Simon, Teheivarii Ludivion, Nicolas Vallar (capt), Ricky Aitamai; Henri Caroine, Heimano Bourebare, Jonathan Tehau; Alvin Tehau, Marama Vahirua, Steevy Chong Hue

Coach: Eddy Etaeta

Nigeria

Vincent Enyeama (capt); Efe Ambrose, Godfrey Oboabona, Kenneth Omeruo, Uwa Echiejile; John Mikel Obi, Fegor Ogude, Sunday Mba; Agmed Musa, Nnamdi Oduamadi, Anthony Ujah

Coach: Stephen Keshi

Referee: Joel Aguilar (ESA)

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