Nigeria facing a salvage mission

Preview: Nigeria v South Korea, 7.30pm, Durban, BBC3

Nigeria are playing for continental as well as national pride against South Korea this evening. The six African teams have so far managed one win in 12 matches and even the one victor, Ghana, are by no means certain of progressing.

Nigeria have lost to Argentina and Greece, but victory in the Moses Mabhida Stadium against South Korea will see them through to the second round on goal difference if Argentina beat Greece in Polokwane.

"We need a fresh start," Lars Lagerback, their Swedish coach, said. "We will do that by beating South Korea." That Sani Kaita has received a thousand death threats since being dismissed against Greece increases the pressure on South Korea, but they will progress if they avoid defeat and match or better Greece's score. In extremis, the coach, Huh Jung-Moo said he will throw Ahn Jung-hwan into the fray even though the player whose goal beat Italy in the 2002 finals is not fully fit following injury.

What to watch out for: can South Korea reverse a trend?

In seven consecutive World Cups South Korea have only made it our of their group once, in 2002, when they were co-hosts.