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Iran national team coach Carlos Queiroz has arrived South Africa to make arrangements for his team’s preparation camp in that country, Queiroz who was speaking with reporters after a press conference in Tehran Sunday added that he was yet to receive a new offer from the Iranian Football Federation for renewing his contract till the end of the Asian Cup.

The Iranian head coach who will return to Iran on January 6, said that he was going to watch the African Nations Football Cup games, and particularly the Nigeria’s games, to enable him to analyze them.

Iran will play against Argentina, Nigeria and Bosnia and Herzegovina in Brazil’s 2014 World Cup campaign in Group F.

In a country where football is the number one sport and crowds at international matches regularly top 90,000, a relatively kind World Cup draw also has fans optimistic that Iran’s national squad can claim their first win at the international event since 1998.

In that year, Iran beat the United States 2-1 in a group game.

Iran, 45th in FIFA’s world rankings and Asia’s top-rated side, have been drawn against two-times winners Argentina, reigning African champions Nigeria and tournament debutantes Bosnia.

Argentina, who can call on four-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, will be favorites to top the group, but Iran should also pose a stern test for Nigeria, 36th in the world rankings, and Bosnia, 21st.

As part of their build up for the Brazil 2014 World Cup, the Super Eagles group opponents, Iran will play Guinea in a friendly game on March 5, coach Carlos Queiroz has announced.

“We’ve received several offers for friendly matches but playing friendly against Guinea is my top priority since they have European-based players. The match will be held on March 5.

To play Congo is also in our program,” Querioz was quoted as saying by persianfootball.com.

“As part of the preparation for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, we are also going to face European teams as well.

“We should be ready for the World Cup and play with enthusiasm and tenacity,” the Portuguese added.

“Please don’t compare us with Spain or Germany. Anybody that compares us with such teams should be nominated for Comedian of the 21st Century award.

It took 80 years to win the titles for Spain,” former Real Madrid coach added.

“It’s a good opportunity for Iran football to play three good teams at the World Cup with three different styles. It’s an impossible mission for us to book a berth in the next stage.”

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