World Cup: Nigeria 1-0 Bosnia & Herzegovina

Nigeria recorded their first FIFA World Cup win since 1998 with a 1-0 win over Bosnia Herzegovina in Cuiaba. It was also the first time Bosnia have lost two competitive games in succession for five years.

The goal came for Nigeria just before the half hour when the impressive Emmanuel Emenike found Peter Odemwingie in the area and the Stoke City man fired home. Edin Dzeko earlier had a goal wrongly disallowed for offside.  

After an opening 20 minutes of which the African champions had dominated, it was the World Cup debutants who had the ball in the net. After some characteristically fine work in midfield from Miralem Pjanic, Zvjezdan Misimovic set away Edin Dzeko.

The Manchester City star rushed through and lofted the ball over the on rushing Vincent Enyeama into the net. He ran away in celebration before the flag was wrongly raised by the Kiwi linesman to rule the goal out for offside, when in reality Dzeko was played on by Efe Ambrose.

Moments later, Dzeko again stretched the Nigerian defence, and again the through ball was from the cultured right boot of Misimovic. He took a couple of touches before trying to power the ball past Enyeama, but the in form keeper was equal to it, batting the effort to safety.

On the stroke of the half hour mark, Stephen Keshi’s decision to play with Odemwingie in a shadow striker role payed off. Odemwingie slid the ball through to Emmanuel Emenike and the pacy front man out ran Bosnian captain Emir Spahic. Odemwingie had lurked on the edge of the area for a moment after his superb sixty yard burst to get there, but when Emenike broke past Spahic he picked his run. Emenike found him with a cut back and the Stoke City man made no mistake, smashing a drive past Asmir Begovic into the net.

On the hour mark, Nigeria were denied a second goal after a fine save. The move came with a Michael Babatunde pass into Emenike. He out ran the tiring legs of Toni Sunjic and lined up to shoot. Begovic closed down the angle though and made a fine save to keep his side in the competition.

In truth Nigeria looked comfortable throughout the second half and they again went close to a second goal when Ogenyi Onazi unleashed a strike from distance which swerved but was nonetheless saved comfortably by the impressive Begovic.

In stoppage time, Bosnia twice went as close to levelling proceedings as they could. Miralem Pjanic’s corner was cleared as far as the AS Roma playmaker and he volleyed a cross back into the box. It found the head of Dzeko who headed goal wards but unfortunately it was directly at LOSC Lille keeper Enyeama who held it with ease. The second effort came when the Manchester City striker struck an effort off the post after Enyeama had forced it there.

Dzeko fell to the ground in despair after the effort as it meant the World Cup debutants would exit the tournament at the group stage. Nigeria now need just a point in their final group game to secure qualification.

Nigeria: Vincent Enyeama; Efe Ambrose, Joseph Yobo, Juwon Oshaniwa, Kenneth Omeruo; John Mikel Obi, Ogenyi Onazi; Ahmed Musa (Shola Ameobi 65), Peter Odemwingie, Michael Babatunde (Ejike Uzoenyi 75); Emmanuel Emenike.
Subs Not Used: Michael Uchebo, Kunie Odunlami, Godfrey Oboabona, Uche Nwofor, Victor Moses, Reuben Gabriel, Austin Ejide, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Ramon Azeez, Chigozie Agbim.

Booked: Mikel (81).

Bosnia-Herzegovina: Asmir Begovic; Mensur Mujdza, Emir Spahic, Toni Sunjic, Senad Lulic (Sejad Salihovic 59); Haris Medunjanin (Tino Susic 64), Muhamed Besic; Miralem Pjanic, Izet Hajrovic (Vedad Ibisevic 57); Zvjezdan Misimovic; Edin Dzeko.
Subs Not Used: Sead Kolasinac, Senijad Ibricic, Anel Hadzic, Jasmin Fejzic, Ermin Bicakcic, Asmir Avdukic, Edin Visca, Ognjen Vranjes, Avdija Vrsajevic.

Booked: Medunjanin (6).

Referee: Peter O’Leary (New Zealand)

Attendance: 40,499

Extratime.com Man of the Match: Kenneth Omeruo (Nigeria)