Nigeria beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-0 on Saturday to record their first FIFA World Cup finals win since 1998 and condemn the European team to an early exit in their tournament debut.
Peter Odemwingie’s 29th-minute goal lifted the Africa Cup of Nations holders to four points from two games, two less than Argentina, who they meet in their final Group F match on Wednesday with the top spot at stake.
“It’s been 16 years and no wins for our country so we are very excited,” Odemwingie said in a TV interview. “We needed the win.”
Photo: AFP
Iran are third in the group with one point and could reach the last 16 if they inflict Bosnia’s third defeat in a row in their final group match and Nigeria lose to Argentina.
Nigeria took the lead when Odemwingie fed Emmanuel Emenike on the right wing and raced into the box to receive the striker’s low return, before sweeping the ball under goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.
The Bosnia bench protested that Emenike had fouled captain Emir Spahic as he bundled past him into the box before making his cross.
The tournament newcomers had earlier been denied a goal after a poor offside decision against striker Edin Dzeko after he ran on to a through pass and beat ’keeper Vincent Enyeama in the 21st minute.
“I did not see the situation, I was told there was no offside, but this was not the first or last refereeing mistake,” Bosnia coach Safet Susic said. “I don’t want to discuss that right now. We lost to a good team who played much better in this match than against Iran. They scored that goal and they won deservedly, I can only congratulate them and I have nothing further to add.”
Dzeko had another shot saved by Enyeama, but was well off target later in the half as he fought a lonely battle with the Nigeria defense.
The more experienced Nigerian team, playing their fifth World Cup, created several chances in the first half, but were let down by the final pass, poor control or wayward shooting and a couple of smart diving saves by Begovic.
The Bosnia goalkeeper — who plays with Odemwingie at Premier League club Stoke City — made a string of saves to keep his side in the game in a thrilling second half.
Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi was rewarded for his adventurous tactics while Susic packed his midfield as he had done in the 2-1 defeat by Argentina and only sent on a second striker in Vedad Ibisevic for the last half hour.
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