CUIABA, Brazil: Nigeria had returning Peter Odemwingie (pictured) to thank for delivering them their first World Cup win since 1998 and lifting them to the verge of the knockout stages.
The Stoke City forward struck in the first half to hand Nigeria -- who had been held to a disappointing 0-0 draw by Iran in their opening game -- a 1-0 win over Bosnia in Cuiaba on Saturday to leave them on four points and in pole position to take the Group F runners-up spot behind already qualified Argentina.
Defeat for Bosnia saw them eliminated from the finals with one match remaining.
Born in the former Soviet Union to a Nigerian father and a Russian Tatar mother 32-year-old Odemwingie had a spell in the international wilderness after a reported fall out with coach Stephen Keshi. He was overlooked for the Nigeria squad that was crowned continental champions at last year´s Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.
But back on board for Brazil 2014 he repaid Keshi´s faith in the 29th minute of Saturday´s game when shooting past his Stoke teammate, Bosnia keeper Asmir Bergovic. “I feel very happy to be back, playing for my fatherland, it´s always a pleasure and an honour,” the man-of-the-match said after the game in Cuiaba’s Arena Pantanal. 0“I couldn’t have dreamt of a better comeback. I didn’t expect to come back and score the winner.
“The coach had faith, and being back with my friends makes me happy.” Bergovic had sensed Odemwingie was going to prove a handful, telling a Stoke newspaper The Sentinel before the World Cup: “Peter will pose a great threat for sure, so we will need to be very aware of him during the game.” AFP
