Nigeria is 2nd in Group F in the ongoing FIFA World Cup™ after defeating Bosnia-Herzegovina. Victory was ensured when Peter Odemwingie tapped in from close range after a fine run from Emenike down the flanks. The goal came in the 29th minute of the first half as the Super Eagles held on to finish winners. It was Nigeria’s first win in 16 years since they last won a group game in 1998 when France hosted and won the world cup.
Coach Stephen Keshi made a few change heading into the encounter with the European nation. Ahmed Musa retained a starting berth while Odemwingie was preferred ahead of Victor Moses who was somewhat poor against Iran. Another surprise inclusion in the starting lineup was Babatunde Michael who featured as the link between the midfield and the attack. His involvement was well justified as he created chances and had few attempts at goal himself to help Nigeria win.
Bosnia-Herzegovina, without mincing words, was equally as deadly in their passage of play as well as in goal attempts. Their attacking frontline was led by the ever lively and potent Edin Džeko with the visionary Miralem Pjanic playing behind. Džeko was denied on countless occasions by keen-eyed goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, and his trusted central defensive duo of Kenneth Omeruo and Captain Joseph Yobo.
Bosnia-Herzegovina (BIH) had a goal through Džeko cancelled out on the basis of an offside call. Replays showed that the linesman got his call absolutely wrong to deny the Manchester City striker his first World Cup goal. If the goal was allowed to stand, and rightfully too, one wonders what would have been the outcome of the game. Barely three minutes later, Nigeria got their decisive goal through a nice interchange between Odemwingie and Emmanuel Emenike.
Osaze picked a pass and dashed through from Nigeria’s half into the other half of the Bosnians. He made a well threaded pass to Emenike who charged down the right flank, outmuscling BIH captain and defender, Spahic. The initial impression of Emenike’s run at Spahic looked like a foul on the defender; but that was never the case. Emenike was strong on the ground, determined, firm and edged the defender better for pace.
With the Bosnian defence all but caught on a counter, Emenike found Odemwingie in the final third, who made no mistake from close range to send a shot through the legs of goalkeeper Asmir Begovic. That rattled the Bosnians, which did not bother the Nigerians as they raced to the sidelines to celebrate with the goal scorer. It was Peter Odemwingie’s first ever goal at a World Cup tournament ever since his return to the Super Eagles squad after being frozen out from the team for over a year.
The Super Eagles will face off against La Albiceleste of Argentina in what should be a mouthwatering encounter on Wednesday having met on three previous occasions at the mundial; while Bosnia-Herzegovina will engage shrewd defending Iran.