Nigeria go into their 2010 FIFA World Cup Group B match against Greece on Thursday as favourites, but can they live up to that billing?
The Super Eagles were overwhelmed at times in their opener against Argentina, but managed to hang in there and might even have stolen a point late on in the 1-0 defeat at Ellis Park.
That should give them plenty of confidence, as should the awful performance from Greece in their 2-0 defeat to South Korea the same day.
Indeed, the Greeks have yet to score a goal in a World Cup finals match in four attempts, and their "one-dimensional" style of play under long-term coach Otto Rehhagel has been worked out by opponents since they won the 2004 European Championship.
Nigeria's Swedish coach Lars Lagerback admitted after the defeat against Argentina that he was disappointed with the defeat against the Argentines. Perhaps he knew how close his side had come to securing a point, but says that match is now behind them and they are only looking towards the Greeks and South Korea.
"Our target now is to focus on the next matches to book qualification to the next round of the competition," Lagerback said. "[Against Greece] we have a good chance. I am very satisfied with the way the players have worked during the preparations up till the time they lost [against Argentina].
"I think the attitude and the focus they displayed is very good. We are optimistic about the Greece match. I think we have a good chance to win it. The tactics would be different when it comes to Greece and we cannot apply the same tactics against Argentina.
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"The South Korea coach [Jung-Moo Huh] may be right... saying the Nigeria versus South Korea match may be decisive. But first, we have to concentrate on the Greece game and try to win it. If we do that, then the third match against South Korea should be decisive," he added.
The good news for Lagerback is that Olympique Marseille left back Taye Taiwo is fit for the game after suffering muscle cramps aganst Argentina, while Locomotiv Moscow striker Osaze Odemwingie and Wolfsburg's Obafemi Martins are likely to start ahead of Chinedu Obasi and Obinna Nsofor respectively.
Greece striker Striker Dimitris Salpingidis says his side are aware of the Super Eagles' strengths.
"They managed to trouble Argentina in their opening game. Nigeria is a very good team - we've seen them on tapes - they are fast and play with high quality. We must concentrate for the entire 90 minutes and be totally prepared," he said.
"Lagerback is a very good coach, with a a good track record at many big tournaments. But I hope it'll be us smiling at the end of the game and not him," Salpingidis added.
