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Saturday 21 June 2014

Nigeria 1 v Bosnia 0: Osazie's Goal Seal Victory For Nigeria, Sends Bosnia Out

Relief: Odemwingie (left) celebrates his goal with assist-maker Emmanuel Emenike (right)
Osazie Odemwingie's lone goal in the first half of the game gift Nigeria a victory over Bosnia and a hope of qualifying for the round of 16 stage of the ongoing World Cup in Brazil.
The victory over Bosnia is Nigeria's first of the tournament in sixteen years as they last won a World Cup game back in France 1998.

The Super Eagles went ahead midway into the first half with a well taking side footed finish from Osazie Odemwingie with Emeneke to the assist and super saves by Vincent Enyeama kept the African champions in the game and seal the victory.

Following a not too impressive performance in the Eagles encounter against Iran in the opening game, Coach stephen Keshi decided to leave Victor Moses and Ramon Azeez on the bench while Stoke City front man, Osazie Odemwingie and Babatunde Michael took their place, while injured Godfrey Oboabona was replaced in centre back by Captain Joseph Yobo.
Back of the net: Odemwingie's low effort goes through the legs of his Stoke team-mate Begovic
Bosnia Coach, Safet Susic did not start Sead Kolasinac as every other player that started against Argentina remain against Nigeria.

Bosnia were exposed on their left side with Senad Lulic and Emir Spahic caught out of position early on and a poor clearance by captain Spahic in the sixth minute forced his fellow defender Haris Medunjanin to bring down Ahmed Musa and take a yellow card.

Osazie Odemwingie took the resultant free-kick in the seventh minute and it deflected narrowly wide of the upright, while Ogenyi Onazi forced a low save out of Asmir Begovic on 14 minutes.

Bosnia settled into the game thereafter and should have been credited with the game's opening goal when Dzeko ran in behind and found the back of the net in the 21st minute but the assistant referee flag him offside incorrectly.
Safe hands: Dzeko is denied a goal by a fine save from Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama
The Super Eagles made the most of the let-off as Emmanuel Emenike powered past Emir Spahic on the right before squaring a pass to find Odemwingie in the six yard box, who then shot through the legs of his Stoke team-mate Asmir Begovic to score.

Nigeria absorb Bosnia's pressure early in the second half, but they counter attacked effectively and came close to going further ahead when Babatunde and Emenike forced saves from Begovic in quick succession.

Bosnia continued to press, but substitute Vedad Ibisevic, who came off the bench to score in the defeat by Argentina, wasted a chance to equalise when he bundled a cross wide despite finding space in the area.

And, with seconds of injury time remaining, Dzeko scuffed a shot which Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama deflected onto the post and away to safety. 


The win means Nigeria now sit in second position with four points behind Argentina with six points, and they only need a draw against Argentina in their last group match to confirm there qualification.

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