Tahitians! What is your Profession? Ahoo! Ahoo!! (NIgeria vs Tahiti) 8pm tonight

''Amateurs vs Professionals''

The South Pacific minnows make their first appearance at a major tournament as they take on African championss Nigeria in their Group B opener tonight in Belo Horizonte.

Tahiti National Team

Tahiti rank 138th in the FIFA world rankings a position they share with Syria and one place above Afghanistan. The country has a population of 178,000 totally in contrast to Nigeria's statistics.

"Of the 23 players we have, we have nine players who don't work, who are practically unemployed," Tahiti coach Eddy Etaetahe told fifa.com at Sunday's pre-game press onference. "Some are delivery men, some are PE teachers, one works in accounting, and I also have a player who is a sports coach.

"My defender (Teheivarii) Ludivion gets up every day at four o'clock in the morning, puts on his shoes and spends all day working as a climber. Then, at five o'clock, he comes to train with his football club."

Marama Vahirua, 33, is the only pro in the squad, he plies his trade with French club Nancy but currently plays for Greek club Panthrakikos.

He added: "We won't have the same weapons, technically, tactically, and physically, but tomorrow, we'll certainly have the heart and that's our weapon - our heart and spirit."

If Tahiti win tonight, it will stun the entire football world.