Nigeria win first WC match, knock Bosnia out of contention
Nigeria ended a 16-year wait for a victory in a World Cup match on Saturday, beating Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-0 courtesy of Peter Odemwingie’s first-half goal and knocking the tournament newcomers out of contention.
Only a point is needed by Nigeria from its last Group F game — against already-qualified Argentina — to reach the knockout stage after Odemwingie finished from close range in the 29th minute following one of many powerful runs by his strike partner Emmanuel Emenike.
Playing hours after Ghana’s plucky 2-2 draw with Germany, Nigeria gave African football another lift following its continent’s inauspicious start to the tournament. Prior to Saturday, the five African teams had claimed just one win and a draw in seven matches in Brazil. “It’s something awesome for Africa,” said Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, who tipped Edin Dzeko’s shot onto the post in the final few seconds to preserve the win. “Africa needed that win, something to boost the confidence back home.”
The Bosnians are sure to go home after the group stage, and will wonder if things may have gone differently had Dzeko’s goal in the 21st minute not been ruled out for offside. Replays appeared to show the officials may have got the call wrong. “The referee was shameful for this competition,” Dzeko said.
But Nigeria deserved its win, with Emenike causing all sorts of problems for Bosnia-Herzegovina’s defense with his strength and direct running in energy-sapping conditions in the western Brazilian city of Cuiaba. At the other end, the experienced Joseph Yobo was back as captain and marshalled the defense in his 99th international game. Dzeko and the Bosnians’ technical midfielders carved out few clear-cut opportunities. “They surprised us with their speed and movement,” Bosnia coach Safet Susic said. “They wanted to win probably that much more than us.”
There was added motivation for Keshi’s team, which was seeking to boost the spirits of Nigerians in the wake of a suicide bombing attack at a World Cup viewing site in the northeast of their country. At least 14 people died in the blast. After weathering a bright start by the Bosnians, Nigeria went ahead when Emenike powered past the tame challenge of Bosnia defender Emir Spahic, charged down the right flank and crossed for Odemwingie, who shot first-time through the legs of goalkeeper Asmir Begovic — his teammate at English club Stoke.