Super Eagles edge towards World Cup knockout stage with 1-0 victory over Bosnia

Super Eagles edge towards World Cup knockout stage with 1-0 victory over Bosnia

Posted by Sylvester on Monday, June 23, 2014 0

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NIGERIA'S Super Eagles have got their World Cup campaign going with a 1-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina yesterday that almost certainly guarantees their passage to the next stage of the tournament.

Thanks to a 29th minute goal from Stoke City winger Osaze Odemwingie, Nigeria secured all four points in the hard-fought game in the central Brazilian city of Cuiaba last night. With this win, which is Nigeria's first World Cup victory since France 98, the Eagles now have four points with one game left against Argentina on Wednesday.

Nigeria is now on course to join Argentina, to qualify for the knock-out stages of the tournament along with Argentina, while Bosnia who lost both games are out. Bosnia and Iran, who still have a mathematical chance of qualifying, will meet in their final game, which takes place simultaneously as the Nigeria/Argentina match.

Picking up the man-of-the-match award, Odemwingie scored the only goal of the open contest at the Arena Pantanal when he fired a first-time shot beyond his Stoke City team-mate Asmir Begovic after great work from Emmanuel Emenike on the right. A thorn in the side of the Bosnians all day, Emenike gave their skipper Emir Spahic a torrid evening, harassing him with his power and pace down the channels.

Putting in a far better performance than they did in their opening game against Iran, the Eagles got off to a spirited start with the recalled Odemwingie going close with a free-kick after seven minutes. Mikel Obi also fired a shot narrowly wide soon afterwards before  Begovic was called into action to push away a long-range drive from Ogenyi Onazi.

Bosnia responded after that and Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko had the ball in the net in the 21st minute after being played through the centre of the Nigeria defence by Miralem Pjanic but the assistant referee’s flag was raised for offside. After that, there were chances for both sides but neither of them could put theirs away.

In the second half, Bosnia pressed forward in search of an equaliser, creating chances at the back but Onazi, Emenike and Michael Babatunde were all unfortunate not to score. Begovic in goal for the Bosnians also had a great game as he repeatedly denied the Eagles with a string of good saves.

Osaze said: "We have waited so long for this victory and I'm so happy for the country, our fans and the team. It was maybe one of the hardest three points in my career, though.”

With 15 minutes remaining and their shirts drenched in sweat, the Bosnians, known as Zmajevi or The Dragons, were getting agitated with their World Cup future looking bleak. They made all three substitutions but despite several close attempts, were unable to beat Vincent Enyeama.

Zvjezdan  Misimovic fluffed his lines on the edge of Nigeria's penalty box with 90 minutes on the clock. After that, Dzeko headed straight at Enyeama moments later, before seeing his effort from six yards turned on to the post, ultimately sealing their exit from the tournament.


Nigeria

Enyeama

Ambrose

Oshaniwa

Yobo

Omeruo

Onazi

Mikel

Babatunde

Musa

Emenike

Odemwingie