Nigeria beat Bosnia to enjoy first World Cup win in 16 years

Peter Odemwingie scored the only goal of the game after 29 minutes although Bosnia should have gone in front themselves seven minutes earlier but Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko's effort was incorrectly ruled offside.

The loss means Bosnia are now unable to make the knockout stages regardless of the result against Iran in their final group match on Wednesday while African champions need only a draw against already qualified Argentina to be certain of progressing to round of 16.

"This victory was for our fans and our country. We had to work hard for this against a quality side. It was a difficult three points but we worked hard to bounce back after what our people thought was a poor performance in the first game," said goalscorer Odemwingie.

"From now on we are looking upwards. Hopefully this win is enough to get us into the second round."

Victor Moses was one of the players to lose his place following the disappointing draw against Iran as Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi looked to secure Nigeria's first World Cup win since the defeat of Bulgaria in 1998.

Odemwingie was the first to go close to opening the scoring on seven minutes but his free kick went centimetres wide while Bosnia's first opportunity of note fell to Muhamed Besic two minutes later but the youngster's effort went just over the bar.

In an entertaining opening period, John Mikel Obi just failed to convert Ahmed Musa's cross while Ogenyi Onazi tried his luck from longe range.

The decisive moment of the game came in the 22nd minute, however, when Dzeko was played through on goal by Miralem Pjanic and coolly slotted home only for his strike to be incorrectly ruled out for offside.

Dzeko was also put through two minutes later but this time his effort was well saved by Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama.

There was further controversy at the other end on 29 minutes when Odemwingie turned home Emmanuel Emenike's cross from close range but the Bosnians were furious that the referee had not halted play earlier for what they felt was a foul by Emir Spahic on Emenike.

Dzeko had an opportunity to equalize four minutes later but his header was easily saved Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama.

Musa could have extended Nigeria's lead on 39 minutes but Asmir Begovic got down well at his near post to turn the CSKA striker's shot around the post while another Dzeko effort on the stroke of half-time went over.

Bosnia faded in the second half as Nigeria remained resolute in defence although the Europeans almost salvaged a point at the death but Enyeama proved the hero for Nigeria by pushing a Dzeko shot onto the post to prevent a late equalizer.