Bosnia Victory Puts Nigeria in Good Stead

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: June 22, 2014

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After some disappointing pre-tournament results, some seemingly strange squad-selection decisions and the underwhelming 0-0 opening-day draw with Iran, there was a concern that Nigeria would be exposed against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Eastern Europeans, after all, had given a decent account of themselves against Argentina in their first-ever World Cup game.

Such joy for Nigeria fans, then, when the Super Eagles held on to beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-0. In doing so, they not only eliminated their main rivals to join Argentina in the last 16, they also pushed themselves into the driving seat to seal a spot in the knockout rounds.

The victory was Nigeria’s first in a World Cup in 16 years; it ended a run of nine matches without a win in the tournament and six games without a win since the middle of 2013. It was also notable for being Stephen Keshi’s first-ever victory over European opposition.

While the Super Eagles will now start facing opposition more taxing than Bosnia and Herzegovina, who weren’t able to build on their encouraging World Cup debut against Argentina, there were enough signs to show that Nigeria have weapons enough to trouble the stronger sides they will likely encounter.



Peter Odemwingie, the goalscorer, won the Man of the Match award and, indeed, delivered a strong performance—one imagines it was exactly the kind of thing Keshi was hoping for when he went out on a limb to recall the controversial forward to his provisional World Cup squad of 30.

Odemwingie’s talents have rarely been disputed, but coming off the back of a Premier League season where he scored only six goals, at the age of 32, and with a history of tension with the manager, it was, without doubt, a gamble to turn to the former West Bromwich Albion man.

After an encouraging return to the side against Scotland, in a pre-tournament friendly, Odemwingie’s form has ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football

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