Super Eagles have a large fan base in Brazil who will want Nigeria to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup which incidentally is to be staged in Brazil.

Nigeria was one of the eight countries that attended the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil.

In addition to matching its game against other top football nations, the tournament also provided the platform for Nigeria to warm up to the local fans.

Although the Eagles did not go beyond the first round, the team will cherish the overwhelming support it received from Brazilians in Salvador and Fortazela.

Inside a packed Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazilians openly rooted Nigeria and booed their South American neighbours, Uruguay in group fixture on June 20.

Three days later, they urged on the Nigerians against Spain in the north eastern city of Fortaleza.

Even after Nigeria was eliminated from the campaign, the locals still turned up in en masse at their hotel along Beira Mar Avenue, on the Iracema Beach, Fortaleza to bid the Nigerians bye.

Stunned by the outpouring of love by the locals, the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Aminu Maigari, vowed that the federation would leave no stone unturned to ensure the qualification of Nigeria for the 2014 World Cup.

The Super Eagles will still have to overturn Malawi in Calabar in the last group match in September which sets up a nervy climax in October- November, where all 10 leaders in the African qualifying pools will play direct knock out over two legs, to produce the continent's five representatives to the World Cup.

A Brazilian, Leandro, gave a gesture of approval at Avenue Sete Setembro, Salvador that Nigeria is capable of causing an upset at the World Cup provided the coaches work on some weaknesses.

"Nigeria (pronounced Neheria) played robust football that caught the eye. The Eagles would have comfortably graced the semi finals if they had good strikers. Your team will surprise many at the World Cup if they bring forwards who will convert all their chances" Leandro said.

His view was echoed by a tourist at Iracema who backed Nigeria to cause an upset at the World Cup if they include all their key players.

But aside taking to Nigeria because of its football antecedents, the good reception accorded Nigeria also stems from the historical and cultural links between Nigeria and Brazil.

Salvador, the capital of state of Bahia, has a vibrant black population, more than 60 per cent of who are descendants of African slaves, with strong link to western part of Nigeria.

The people eat acaraje (akara) a delicacy made of fried bean, live in buildings similar to what exist in parts of Nigeria, worship Yemanja (Yemoja in Yoruba pantheon of gods) and are largely marginalised.

It is no wonder that they are largely attracted to a Nigerian dressed in a native outfit as he "reminds us of the way our parents used to dress before they arrived Brazil as slaves".