Nigeria knocked Bosnia out of the World Cup with a 1-0 win, but Edin Dzeko had a goal incorrectly disallowed.
The Super Eagles now require just a point to secure their place in the next round.
Nigeria knocked Bosnia out of the World Cup with a 1-0 win, but Edin Dzeko had a goal incorrectly disallowed.
The Super Eagles now require just a point to secure their place in the next round.
It was a must-win game, as the Africans drew with Iran and Bosnia were narrowly beaten by Argentina in the openers. Nigeria lost Godfrey Oboabona to injury, but Kenneth Omeruo and Ahmed Musa shook off knocks to start.
Peter Odemwingie’s early free kick whistled just wide, as did a John Obi Mikel attempt, as the Super Eagles got off to a much stronger start.
Edin Dzeko thought he had given Bosnia the lead on 21 minutes when the ball was in the back of the net, but the offside flag was incorrectly raised to rule the goal out. The Manchester City striker had run on to an inspired pass from Roma’s Miralem Pjanic.
Dzeko was allowed to go clear soon after, but this time his rising shot was palmed out from under the bar by Vincent Enyeama. The goalkeeper also beat away a Pjanic strike.
Nigeria took the lead when Emmanuel Emenike burst past Emir Spahic down the right and pulled back for Odemwingie to fire home. Bosnia were furious, as they felt there was a foul on Spahic, but Emenike appeared to simply be stronger. This was Stoke City striker Odemwingie’s first goal for Nigeria since 2010.
Dzeko blasted two good chances off target, set up by Pjanic and Lulic, before half-time.
Asmir Begovic beat away blockbusters from Michael Babatunde and Odemwingie, then rushed off his line to block Emenike’s finish from point-blank range with an outstretched foot.
Emenike went on another strong run to test Begovic at the near post, while Bosnia wasted the chance to equalise with Vedad Ibisevic nodding over from close range.
Nigeria remained dangerous to the end and Begovic had his gloves stung by Lazio midfielder Eddy Onazi, while Emenike’s daisy-cutter was just wide.
Bosnia mounted a late period of pressure, but Misimovic horribly scuffed the Pjanic assist and a Dzeko header was straight at Enyeama.
Deep into stoppages Dzeko had the chance to draw level, but fired straight at the goalkeeper, who deflected it on to the upright from close range.
Nigeria 1-0 Bosnia
Scorers: Odemwingie 29 (N)
Nigeria: Enyeama; Ambrose, Omeruo, Yobo, Oshaniwa; Mikel, Onazi; Musa (Ameobi 65), Odemwingie, Babatunde (Uzoenyi 73); Emenike
Bosnia: Begovic; Mujdza, Sunjic, Spahic, Medunjanin (Susic 64); Pjanic, Besic; Hajrovic (Ibisevic 56), Misimovic, Lulic (Salihovic 58); Dzeko
Ref: O’Leary (NZL)