Peter Odemwingie's first-half goal
gave Nigeria a 1-0 win over Bosnia in
World Cup Group F on Saturday and
condemned the European team to an
early exit in their first appearance in
the finals.
The Nigerians' first World Cup finals
victory since 1998 put them on four
points from two games, two less than
Argentina who they meet in the final
group match on Wednesday with top
spot at stake.
Nigeria took the lead after 29 minutes
when Odemwingie fed Emmanuel
Emenike on the right wing and raced
into the box to receive the striker's
low return before clipping the ball
under goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.
The Bosnian bench angrily 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
in a poor offside decision against striker Edin Dzeko after he
ran on to a through pass and beat goalkeeper Vincent
Enyeama in the 21st minute.
This video is not available.
Dzeko had another shot saved by Enyeama but he was well
off target with chances later in the half as he fought a lonely
battle with the Nigeria defence.
The more experienced Nigerians, playing in 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 keeper made a string of saves to keep his side
in the match in a second half of end-to-end excitement and
Dzeko's shot was deflected on to the post deep into
stoppage time.
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