2014 World Cup: Nigeria 1-0 Bosnia Herzegovina
Peter Odemwingie fired Nigeria to the brink of qualification for the
last-16 as they beat Bosnia 1-0 and knocked them out of the World Cup.
A fine goal from Peter Odemwingie, a generous linesman’s flag and the
tactical acumen of Stephen Keshi combined to end Nigeria’s run of nine
World Cup games without a win. A draw against Argentina in their final
game will see them into the last 16.
The striker slotted past Stoke City team-mate Asmir Begovic at the
Arena Pantanal, although Bosnia were unfortunate not to have led eight
minutes earlier when an Edin Dzeko goal was incorrectly ruled out for
offside.
The European nation needed a goal in the second half to keep their
qualification hopes alive, however they were unable to break down a
solid Nigerian defence.
The win leaves Nigeria second in Group F and requiring either a point
from their group finale with Argentina or Iran to draw or lose against
Bosnia.
Safet Susic omitted own-goal scorer Sead Kolasinac from their brave
2-1 loss to Argentina, however, Bosnia were exposed on their left side
with Senad Lulic and Emir Spahic caught out of position early on.
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.
Nigeria produced plenty of chances on goal and deserved to open the
scoring, with Odemwingie’s free-kick in the seventh minute deflecting
narrowly wide of the upright, while Ogenyi Onazi – who tried his luck
from range on a few occasions – forced a low save out of Begovic on 14
minutes.
For all their instability at the back, Bosnia settled into the game
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 – only
for the assistant’s flag to be incorrectly raised.
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