Day 14 World Cup

It has been a disastrous World Cup for Africa and Asia. All of the 11 teams who have booked a place in the Round of 16 are either European or Latin American. Nigeria stand on the brink of being the first, and only, team from Africa to qualify.

With four points from two matches, the Super Eagles require just a point from their match with Argentina to secure qualification. Defeat wouldn't necessarily spell the end for Stephen Keshi's side, but that would put matters into the hands of Iran who face Bosnia in Salvador.

The Nigerians have not reached the knockout stages since World Cup 1998, but are the reigning African champions. One man, however, stands in their way: Lionel Messi. Messi's injury-time strike defeated Iran last week, as the Barcelona star looks to announce himself on the World Cup stage. Despite facing one of the top players of all-time, Nigeria keeper Vincent Enyeama isn't worried.

"To tell you the truth I'm never afraid of footballers," the keeper said when asked if he was scared of facing Messi.

"Messi is one of the best players on the planet, but it's not a game between him and me, it's a game between Nigeria and Argentina," Enyeama added. "Everybody knows he's made a lot of progress since the last time we played against each other in 2010."

"Messi is a genius, one of the best footballers the world has produced, but tomorrow's game is against Argentina, not just him."

Should Messi, with two goals to his name already, get the better of the Nigerian goalkeeper, Iran are preparing to take advantage. It's Team Melli's "World Cup final," according to former Manchester United coach and Iranian boss, Carlos Queiroz.

The West Asian side's hopes of progression lie on a thread. To qualify, they must beat already-eliminated Bosnia in Salvador and pray that Argentina will finish the group stages with a 100% record.

Due to Iran's inferior goal difference, they still require a two-goal swing to catch the Africans and reach the Last 16 for the first time. They have still only ever won one match at the World Cup finals.

"We had such a bad feeling after the match against Argentina because of the way it ended," former Wolfsburg striker Ashkan Dejagah said.

"We tried to make it tough for them and with a little bit of luck we would have won this game or even got a draw. I hope we have showed the world that Iran can play football."

Ecuador aim to continue South American buzz

Meanwhile, in Group E, Ecuador take on France with the Europeans already guaranteed a place in the next round.

From South America, hosts Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Chile and Uruguay have already progressed, while Mexico and Costa Rica have advanced from the Central American zone. The Ecuadorians missed out on a place at the 2010 finals, but sneaked through to the Last 16 at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

"It shows the capacity and the power of the South American teams," said 57-year-old Rueda on Tuesday. "We hope to follow in their footsteps."

Ecuador simply need to match, or better, Switzerland's result against Honduras to progress. Honduras, who are already out of contention, may prove easier opposition for the Swiss in the final round of matches. France, however, won't go lightly on the South Americans, according to head coach Didier Deschamps.

"I have far too much respect for this Ecuador team to think we're going to have an easy game tomorrow. We're taking them very seriously," Deschamps said.

Manaus could be the scene of Switzerland boss Ottmar Hitzfeld's last match as a manager, amid talk of his retirement from the game, aged 65.

"I'm fully concentrated. We want to reach the round of 16," the Bundesliga's most successful coach ever said.