Gamble won

The Stoke City forward made the
difference with his goal in his side’s
slim victory against Bosnia on
Saturday as the Eagles won their
first game since 1998.

By Lolade Adewuyi in Cuiaba
Nigeria won their first World Cup
game in 16 years courtesy of Peter
Odemwingie’s solitary strike against
Bosnia-Herzegovina on Saturday.

The forward combined with striker
Emmanuel Emenike to make a
nuisance of the Bosnian defence and
score in the 29 minute of the
encounter.
Played sometimes at walking pace in
the sweltering heat of Cuiaba with
many a water break, Stephen Keshi’s
gamble to take the Stoke City
forward to the tournament paid off.
After more than two years in exile,
the 32-year-old was the hero of his
side as they put their campaign back
on track ahead of their final group
meeting with Argentina.
Keshi opted to drop Liverpool’s
Victor Moses, who had a poor game
and a poorer attitude during their
soulless draw with Iran.
He also dropped youngster Ramon
Azeez to the bench while defender
Godfrey Oboabona continued to stay
out due to injury.
In came Odemwingie, Michael
Babatunde and captain Joseph Yobo,
who is inching near his record
century caps for the national team.

Nigeria started the more confident
against Safet Susic’s side but saw
Ahmed Musa fail to get on the end
of an early Emenike cross.
The Bosnian attack spearheaded by

Manchester City’s Edin Dzeko looked
quiet until he burst on to the end of
a pass to shoot home but the
referee called it for offside.
 
  
Time to rejoice | Team spirit has
been high

The African champions would profit
from this as they took the lead via
Odemwingie who slipped it beneath
the legs of Stoke team mate Asmir
Begovic after great work from
Emenike down the flanks set him
free.

Nigeria managed to keep their lead
after they saw a series of shots on
goal by Ogenyi Onazi and Babatunde
kept out by Begovic.

An open encounter unlike the
Africans' last game with Iran, Bosnia
searched for the equalizer but Dzeko
failed to beat Enyeama in what was
the last chance of the match.
The Lille goalkeeper stuck out a leg
to keep out the ball which then rang
off the upright for a corner kick.
Susic’s men looked to run out of
ideas for many periods in the
encounter and would feel very bad to
have ended their first World Cup
campaign with two quick losses.
Following their impressive game
against Argentina, much was
expected of them in this one but
they could not break down the

Nigerian team that played compact,
content to counter-attack and defend
in number.

They face Iran in their final game, tofight for pride and nothing more.

From what one saw of Team Melli
against Argentina earlier, it would
be difficult for them to get a win in
that one with the Persians still in
the competition.
Nigeria will head to Porto Alegre to
face the Albiceleste who have
already qualified for the second
round.

Their rivalry with Lionel Messi and
his counterparts would be
reawakened as they require just a
point to reach the knock out stages
for the first time in 16 years.
Back home, the name on everyone’s
lips in the morning would be
Odemwingie. It will be okay to
forgive them as they forget the
decision made by Keshi to bring him
back.

A gamble which is looking great
already.

Nigeria 1-0 Bosnia..