Sports Nigeria defeats Bosnia to win first World Cup game in 16 years

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The Super Eagles of Nigeria have eliminated Bosnia-Herzegovina from the 2014 FIFA World Cup tournament and are now in pole position to seal second spot in group F.

Having drawn their first game against Iran,the onus was on the Super Eagles to come up with the goods if they were to make it out of the group stages.

Coach Stephen Keshi made three changes from the team that drew in their first game,with the notable omission being Victor Moses and Osaze Odemwingie brought into the team after his impressive showings in his substitute appearance against Iran.

Odemwingie had the game's best chance early on curling in a free-kick just inches off Asmir Begovic's goal.

The Super Eagles were getting in their groove and were having a crack at goal,the next chance fell to John Obi Mikel who saw his shot go just wide off the post.

Bosnia settled in the game an looked at utilizing the space they were afforded particularly from Nigeria's left back position.

There was a moment of controversy with the game still at 0-0,Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko was played through on goal and he beat the onrushing Vincent Enyeama only for the referee to call for an offside.

But replays showed that he was wrongly ruled out for an offside and the goal should have stood.

He however had other chances,coming close on different occasions only for Enyeama to be at Nigeria's mercy.

The Super Eagles rode on their luck and got their noses in front after a good piece of build-up play.

A nice work down the right wing saw Emmanuel Emenike muscling out a defender and squaring the ball for Odemwingie to tap in for the Super Eagles.

Emenike was influential for the Super Eagles troubling Bosnia's left back with his power and pace.

Bosnia came into the second half piling up the pressure and mounting waves of attack for a goal but the Super Eagles held on nicely repelling every onslaught.

Emenike had a chance to kill off the contest only for Begovic to come up with a good save to block out his effort.

Michael Babatunde and Ogenyi Onazi's long range effort came close to adding a goals but Begovic was equal to the task.

Nigeria would have rued the missed efforts with the way Bosnia came at them. Ibisevic's header went just wide.

However Enyeama showed while he has always been Nigeria's saviour in goal when he saved Dzeko's stoppage time short that he diverted on to the post.

Nigeria with the win have now moved to second position on four points,two off Argentina.


Do you know that:
*Odemwingie's goal is his first for Nigeria in four years.

*Nigeria's win against Bosnia is the country's first win at the World Cup tournament in 16 years

*Odemwingie's goal is Nigeria's 18th at the World Cup, the most by an African team. Cameroon have 17
 
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Keshi needs to do something about Yobo, and this Mikel I really don't undastnd...... Musa is running pass the ball and has been useless in the game... I think Keshi shld introduce Moses for Musa. Egweke for Yobo
 
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