Caution will once again be the by-word for Paraguay when they tackle Group D winners Nigeria here on Wednesday. The South Americans have yet to score in the tournament but they haven't conceded any goals either, and Paulo Cesar Carpegiani's team go into the game knowing another shut-out will give them every chance of defying the odds and progressing to the second round-just as they did in 1986 in Mexico when they were beaten 3-0 by England.

After two goalless draws Paraguay sit in second place in the group with two points, one more than Bulgaria and Spain, who clash in Lens on Wednesday. Both matches kick-off at 9 p.m. local time. A third consecutive 0-0 draw for the South Americans against already qualified Nigeria would be enough to see them into the last 16 -- but only if Bulgaria and Spain cancel each other out in their match.

On the face of it Wednesday's match pits the most exciting team in the competition against the most dour. But with crowd-pleasing goalkeeping captain and free-kick specialist Jose Luis Chilavert in their side, there is more to Paraguay than the statistics suggest.

Chilavert says the South Americans won't repeat Spain's mistake of under estimating Nigeria. Javier Clemente's pre-tournament group favourites lost their first match 3-2 to Bora Milutinovic's side, who had come into the finals after a dismal run of friendly defeats. " We won't make the same mistake as Spain, " said Chilavert. " After all we're playing the best team in the World Cup at the moment. "

Paraguay are hopeful that attacking midfielders Roberto Acuna and Miguel Benitez will have shrugged off the knocks they received in Friday's goalless draw with Spain in St. Etienne. Carpegiani will hope his team can take advantage of the fact that the Nigerians, with a maximum six points after the wins over Spain and Bulgaria, are already looking beyond Wednesday's showdown.

" We reckon we can make it all the way to the final, " said the Super Eagles's centre-back Taribo West. " It's true our preparation was not good but that's normal after a long, tiring season.  We are getting better, we are trying to be disciplined with good team spirit because we know we have a lot of good individual players and we believe in ourselves. "

Undoubtedly if Nigeria are focused on the task in hand in Toulouse, Paraguay will face the stiffest test of their defensive resolve yet. The 1996 Olympic champions combine physical power with Brazilian-style ball skills and searing pace from all areas of the pitch.

Monaco striker and African player of the year Victor Ikpeba's deft finish that won the match against Bulgaria was typical of the confidence currently cursing through the veins of Milutinovic's players and on their day the likes of Sunday Oliseh, scorer of the 25-yard screamer which sealed the victory over Spain, Finidi George and Jay Jay Okocha are a match for anybody in the tournament.

The Africans, however, will have to make do without defender and captain Uche Okechukwu, who is suspended after picking up two yellow cards.

© - AFP - 1998