Nigeria vs Bosnia & Herzegovina World Cup 2014: Latest news updates and score with our live minute-by-minute match report of the World Cup Group F game between Nigeria and Bosnia & Herzegovina at Arena Pantanal, Cuiaba, on Saturday, June 21, 2014, kick-off 23.00 (BST)
NIGERIA 1 BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA 0
Nigeria players celebrate at the final whistle (GETTY)
NIGERIA 1 BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA 0
That's it from me. Thanks for sticking with the blg throughout the evening. Come back tomorrow for the final time in this World Cup when we will have three matches per day. What a time it has been. But fear not. Starting on Monday we're moving to four games per day. On that positive note I will say goodnight.
Nigeria players celebrate at the final whistle (GETTY)
FULL TIME: NIGERIA 1 BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA 0 Nigeria have their first World Cup win since 1994 and Bosnia are out of the tournament. In truth they don't really deserve any more from tonight's game. It was an unspired performance and whatever chances they created were wasted by Edin Dzeko. At the back Emir Spahic looked like he was playing football for the first time and Emmanuel Emenike's dominance of the right flank led to the Nigerian goal.
90 + 2min: Dzeko hits the post!! That must be Bosnia's last chance. It’s a great save from Enyeama. Dzeko brings down a high ball on the penalty spot, possibly with his hand. He spins and only has the keeper to beat but scuffs his shot and Enyeama saves with his legs. That sums up Dzeko's night.
90 min: Three minutes of stoppage time. Corner for Bosnia. Pjanic takes it, it comes back to him, he lofts another cross in and Dzeko meets it with his head but it’s straight at Enyeama. Yet another weak effort.
88 min: Free kick to Bosnia 35 yards out . A chance to loft it into the area which they may as well do because they haven’t really shown that they have any other ideas. It’s lofted in, headed clear by Yobo. Some unofficial head tennis follows before it nearly opens up for a shot from Pjanic. Instead it comes to Misimovic but his shot is poor and goes wide.
86 min: What have Bosnia got left in their locker/in the tank/up their sleeve [delete depending on which commentator you are listening to]? Not much by the looks of things. It’s Nigeria who are on the attack and Emenike wins a free kick on the corner of the area.
84 min: Great challenge from Muhamed Besic as Onazi looks to get in on the right.
83 min: Emenike is down injured. Or wasting time as it's also known.
82 min: Another chance for Nigeria – this time it’s Emenike who shoots from distance but it’s always swerving wide and Begovic has it covered anyway.
80 min: Begovic is a called into action again to beat away a long range effort from Ogenyi Onazi. Bosnia look to counter through Pjanic, an attack that’s cynically brought to a halt by Mikel who picks up a yellow card.
75 min: Bosnia are pushing now but their ideas are more Gareth Keenan than David Brent. Muhamed Besic cuts in from the left but doesn’t really catch his shot properly and Enyeama saves easily.
74 min: Ejike Uzoenyi is on for Babatunde.
72 min: Michael Babatunde is finally going to have to come off. He's already left the field but nobody is on in his place yet. Bosnia have a corner on the left, It's swung in to the edge if the six-yard box and Ibisevic has a free header but it comes off his shoulder and goes over the bar. Huge chance for Bosnia.
70 min: Casual defending from Yobo who nonchalantly nods back to his goalkeeper after Dzeko fails to connect with a cross. Fortunately for the former Everton man Enyeama is able to gather.
68 min: Babatunde is down injured and is rolled off the pitch. It's a Bosnia free kick but the delivery is really poor and it sails over everyone and out for a goal kick.
"What Nigeria need (and I'm not joking) is Shola," Says Sally. "He will hold up the ball. Calm things a little. Obviously I don't really want to see calm. But it would help Nigeria."
Well you've got it Sally. Shola 'calmness personified' Ameobi is on.
64 min: Ameobi straight into the action playing it to Emenike on the right. He shoots from a tight angle and Begovic is forced to scoop it behind. Well he’s not quite forced – nobody made him do it – but it would have gone in if he didn’t.
64 min: Nigeria change: Shola Ameobi on for Musa.
63 min: Safet Susic makes his final change bringing on his nephew Tino Sven Susic in place of Haris Medunjanin.
62 min: Lovely approach work from Pjanic but Dzeko can’t collect. He’s having one of those days. One of those days when he’s rubbish.
60 min: Two saves in a minute from Begovic keeps Bosnia's World Cup alive. First Babatunde fires from distance and Begovic beats it away. Then the ball richotes off Odemwingie into Emenike's path. The angle is tight but Begovic stays big and makes a vital block.
58 min: Titus Bramble would be ashamed of this performance by Emir Spahic. In fairness he may well be fouled this time by Emenike but his challenge is so weak he almost deserves it.
57 min: Another Bosnian change: Sejad Salihovic comes on for Senad Lulic.
56 min: Change for Bosnia: Vedad Ibisevic replaces Izet Hajrovic.
56 min: More good work from Emmanuel Emenike to tee-up Odemwingie whose shot is poor. Onazi's effort with the outside of his right seconds later is even worse.
54 min: Michael Babatunde crashes in a shot with his left foot from the edge of the area which Begovic beats away.
53 min: It’s not really coming off for Bosnia – first Dzeko and Hajrovic get in each other’s way when trying to get on the end of a cut back, then Musa makes a brilliant last ditch tackle to block Mujdza’s cross from the right.
52 min: A quick aside: here is how Argentine radio responded to Lionel Messi's injury time winner against Iran ...
50 min: Bosnia have a bit more urgency to their game this half, which is just as well as they’re 40 minutes away from going out of the tournament. Dzeko ties to roll Omerou on the edge of the area but the Nigeria defender stays with his man and wins the tackle.
Edin Dzeko - it's not going well (GETTY)
46 min: Everything good that happens for Bosnia comes through Pjanic and it’s the Roma man who picks out Dzeko who tries the unorthodox approach of kicking it as high as possible in the air but it lands on top of the Nigerian net.
Peep! We're underway in the second half. No changes to either side at the interval.
Martin Keown is recounting the game of beach football he played in Rio earlier on. It seems he clobbered some barefooted young lad with a two-footed challenge. He seems happy with this. Well played, Martin. Well played.
HALF TIME: NIGERIA 1 BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA 0 So far so good for the Nigerians. Bosnia have had chances, and Dzeko’s goal should never have been chalked off but they, and Spahic in particular, have been very shaky at the back and Emenike has prospered. That’s where the goal came from.
45 min: One minute of stoppage time is signalled on the big board as Dzeko again shoots from distance. It's the most difficult of his four chances and it's miles wide.
44 min: Another chance for Dzeko as the half to the close. Pjanic gets by Odemwingie far too easily on the right. He pulls back for the Man City man but this time it's a poor effort and Enyeama watches it sail over the bar.
42 min: Nigeria are knocking it around like they're Brazil from 1970. If Brazil from 1970 spent most of their time playing sideways passes in their own half, that is. Needless to say Jon Obi Mikel is heavily involved.
38 min: Emmanuel Emenike is fine but Musa picks up any slack on the right firing a low effort which Begovic pushes clear at his near post and then hops up to prevent the corner.
35 min: Emmanuel Emenike is causing all kinds of havoc on the right. Real havoc. Like a guy in a Tesco Express opening packets of biscuits and throwing them all over the floor nobody knows quite how to deal with him. He picks up a knock while allows everyone - me included - to pause for a quick water break.
33 min: A chance for an equaliser from Dzeko with a flick from a straight ball over the top. He can’t make proper contact.
Peter Odemwingie opens the scoring (REUTERS)
GOAL! NIGERIA 1 BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA 0 (Odemwingie 28) Don't say I didn't mark your card about world beater Peter Odenwingie. It's Emmanuel Emenike who makes it, bundling over Spahic on the right before pulling back for the Stoke man who makes no mistake from seven yards, firing low past his Stoke colleague Asmir Begovic. Bosnia are convinced Spahic was fouled but I don't think he was. in fact, I know he wasn't.
27 min: Good effort from Pjanic from the edge if the area which Enyeama makes a bit of a meal of saving. And not a very good meal.
An intense tactical battle is unfolding (GETTY)
24 min: Another great pass from Pjanic to Dzeko who is onside but the angle is tighter than before and he's under pressure from Omerou and Enyeama beats his shot away for a corner. Good spell for Bosnia.
23 min: Pjanic cuts inside one, two challenges and forces a save from Enyeama.
22 min: A lovely cross from Ambrose on the right is crying out for a Keith Houchen-esque diving header but none of the Nigerian players know who Keith Houchen is so the cross sails out for a throw on the far side.
21 min: Dzeko has the ball in the net but the flag is up for offside. It's a terrible decision. He's miles on as he races on to Pjanic's through ball and slots past Enyeama. Really poor decision.
20 min: Shot from distance by the lively Musa. Saved by Begovic.
18 min: Mensur Mujdza does something positive this time, winning a corner on the right. It taken deep and picked up by Zvjezdan Misimovic who checks inside and curls a shot which sails over the crossbar.
15 min: What are Bosnia playing at? I'm aware I've asked this already but nobody's answered yet. Emmanuel Emenike has a shot from distance that's going well wide of the goal. Rather than let it go out of play Mensur Mujdza (I think) whacks it straight back to a Nigerian player. Nothing comes of it but get it together, lads.
14 min: Another long range effort - this time from Lazio’s Ogenyi Onazi – and it’s saved by Begovic low to his right.
13 min: Peter Odemwingie is basically Lionel Messi, Ronaldo and Neymar rolled into one. QPR really should have let him in to the building that time. He skips past two challenges on the right touchline and spreads it wide to Musa who is offside.Still, silky skills from Odemwingie.
11 min: Jon Obi Mikel shoots. Jon Obi Mikel misses. As you were.
9 min: And here come Nigeria: Emmanuel Emenike tries to pick out the scampering Musa who is like a Jack Russell chasing a tennis ball in the park. And like a Jack Russell his first touch is rubbish and the chance disappears.
7 min: Smart effort from Muhamed Besic from the right corner of the area. It sails just over the crossbar. A good start, this.
6 min: Odemwingie's free kick goes just wide of the left hand post after taking a touch off the wall. A touch the refree fails to spot as he awards a goal kick.
5 min: What's Emir Spahic playing at? Before you say 'football', get a load of this. He passes stright to Musa who skips past Medunjanin who hauls him to the ground. A great foul, as Danny Murphy might say, but his mate put him in big trouble there. Medunjanin gets a yellow. Nigeria have a free kick.
4 min: Offside flag is up against Pjanic as he races onto a Dzeko through ball. It's the right decision but it came from a very loose attempt by Nigeria to play out from the back. Just hoof it lads. It's the way forward.
2 min: Emmanuel Emenike wins a corner on the right, which is more than he did in the entire 90 mintes against Iran. Musa takes, it's half-cleared as far as Onazi but he skews his shot high and wide.
1 min: Bosnia launch the first attack as Dzeko spins in the centre circle and lays off to the right where Mujdza is scampering forward. He tries to pick out Dzeko in the area but Yobo intercepts.
Peep! The referee, a Mr Peter O’Leary from New Zealand who I’m going to go out on a limb and guess has some Irish heritage, blows his whistle and Nigeria get the game underway.
22.55 The teams are on the pitch. My, the Bosnian anthem is solemn. And not a tear in sight from the players.
"Don't despair England," writes Andrew Waite. "Our footballers can still leave Brazil as Unofficial World Cup Champions by beating Costa Rica on Tuesday."
22.52 For those of you who prefer to look at the pictures rather than read the words, here are the teams ...
22.48 An email, from Graeme Wilson. A big, carefully considered email ...
Colombia = best team so far– Uninhibited football, even when they were being outplayed, they still looked dangerous! Should have lost according to every match statistic against Ivory Coast, but watching always looked like they would win.
Compare England vs Uruguay – England – inhibited football, should have won on every match statistic, but watching game, always looked like they would lose.
When England made mistakes, looked like it got to them. When Colombia made mistakes they just brushed themselves down on got on with it again.
England did not loose from lack of skill or strategy or anything else other than attitude.
It’s OK to make mistakes and to be outplayed on occasion, - it’s not OK when you let the mistakes inhibit your game going forward – and it is not OK to let being outplayed on occasion degrade your confidence going forward.
England are out of the World Cup, not from lack of skill or strategy, but from lack of the winning attitude – and a big part of the winning attitude is maintaining confidence and NOT introverting into mistakes.
England are out because they were inhibited in their football.
Colombia are still in the World Cup because they have been uninhibited in their football.
Above everything else, it was Roy Hodgson’s job to field a confident and uninhibited team and if he can’t do that, then he should be replaced because however skilful the players they will never win anything without these ingredients.
Colombia may or may not win the World cup, but with that attitude they will always be dangerous to the opposition.
For England it was an all too “serious” affair – so of course they were going to lose!
22.40 Apologies in advance for the Anglo-centric question: BBC or ITV's opening credits - who wins?
22.30 The teams are here. The wonderful, beautiful teams. Nigeria bring Peter Odemwingie and Joseph Yobo into ntheir starting XI. For Bosnia, Haris Medunjanin and Toni Sunjic come in for Sead Kolasinac and Ermin Bicakcic
Nigeria: Vincent Enyeama; Efe Ambrose, Juwon Oshaniwa, Joseph Yobo, Kenneth Omeruo; John Obi Mikel, Ogenyi Onazi; Michael Babatunde, Peter Odemwingie, Ahmed Musa; Emmanuel Emenike.
Bosnia: Asmir Begovic, Mensur Mujdza, Senad Lulic, Toni Sunjic, Emir Spahic: Muhamed Besic, Haris Medunjanin, Miralem Pjanic; Izet Hajrovic, Zvjezdan Misimovic, Edin Dzeko.
19.00 Hello there. Welcome to live coverage of the Group F clash between Nigeria and Bosnia-Herzegovina from the Arena Pantanal in Cuiba.
More importantly this is the penultimate late night kick off (for those in the UK or mainland Europe) of this World Cup, a very sad state of affairs. Let the campaign start here (if it hasn’t started elsewhere already) for more live football at 11pm at night. We need it, we want it, and the customer is always right. Richard Scudamore: if you want to some way make up for the negative effect your over-bloated Premier League is having on the English national team then give us this and we’ll call it quits.
But anyway, on to tonight’s game.
Nigerians, look away now. You were miserable in the first game. Really miserable. But if there is some consolation it’s that Iran proved equally frustrating for Lionel Messi and Co earlier this evening. And this group remains wide open, though rumours of rifts, trouble and strife within the Nigeria camp would not exactly fill you with confidence.
As for the Bosnians and Herzegoviniansssssss, they were many people dark horses before this tournament, along with Chile, Belgium, South Korea, Colombia etc and so on. There was no shame in the opening game defeat to Argentina last Sunday, especially as it took an own goal and a magnificent Messi strike to seal the deal, and based on that performance (and Nigeria’s anaemic display) you would have to make Safet Sušić’s side favourites for a victory that would put them in pole position to get out of this group.
Team news and more to follow from Cuiba. In the meantime have a gander at John Ley’s match preview (below) or else gather the family round to watch Project Babb’s digital simulation of tonight’s game.
Nigeria vs Bosnia-Herzegovina
Arena Pantanal, Cuiaba
Kick-off: 23.00 BST.
TV: BBC.
Nigeria (Possible, 4-5-1): Enyeama; Ambrose, Oshaniwa, Omeruo, Yobo; Mikel, Musa, Onazi, Azeez, Moses; Emenike.
Out: Oboabona (ankle).
Tests: Omeruo, Musa, Gabriel (Unspecified).
Bosnia-Herzegovina (Possible, 4-5-1): Begovic; Mujdza, Kolasinac, Bicakcic, Spahic; Besic, Hajrovic, Pjanic, Ibisevic, Lulic; Dzeko
Referee: Peter O' Leary (New Zealand)
Betting: Nigeria 7-2, Bosnia 4-5, Draw 5-2.
Team News
Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has selection problems with Godfrey Oboabona ruled out with an ankle injury.
Three other players - Kenneth Omeruo, Ahmed Musa and Reuben Gabriel - could also be absent as Nigeria look for a result that could potentially send Bosnia home.
Bosnia, though, impressed against Argentina on Sunday night before eventually losing, and coach Safet Susic could name 10 of the starting 11 from that game, with Vedad Ibisevic, who came off the bench in the latter stages,in contention to start.
Match Notes
The Super Eagles face the Dragons in a fascinating clash of styles.
Nigeria have a point, Bosnia nothing and they play after top two Group F teams Argentina and Iran meet in Belo Horizonte.
Hard to see how theis will go, but Bosnia impressed against Argentina and could be strong enough to move closer to a last-16 spot.
Stat of the game: Nigeria have drawn four of their last five games.
John Ley's prediction: Nigeria 1 Bosnia-Herzegovina 2
11.15 Hello live blog reader. Evan Fanning will be here with all of the pre-match build-up from around 10.30pm so do come back then. While you wait here is a preview to this afternoon's game:
Bosnia-Herzegovina coach Safet Susic believes there is plenty more to come from his side as the World Cup newcomers look for their first win of the tournament at the expense of Nigeria on Saturday.
A good showing in their Group F opener against Argentina led to a narrow 2-1 defeat as Lionel Messi scored one of the goals of the competition to date.
With Nigeria and Iran holding each other to a goalless draw in a game bereft of quality, Susic now wants to see his side push on and progress into the knockout stages behind Argentina.
"We haven't shown everything we are capable of yet," he said.
"I hope that Argentina will win their other two games, because if they do then the second spot will be between Iran, Nigeria and Bosnia. I am convinced that we still have everything to play for."
Following a mediocre showing in their first game, Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi admits his players need to perform better across the board if they are to keep their own hopes of staying in the competition alive with a positive result in Cuiaba on Saturday.
"Yes, we need to work on scoring goals," he told Kick Off Nigeria.
"It is not only the attack that needs work; we also have to work on other departments too. Sometimes anxiety comes up on the players and they want to just score. I think they played well (against Iran) it was just mainly the finishing that is the problem."
Heading into the game, Keshi will be boosted by the news that defender Godfrey Oboabona could be fit in time to retain his place in the Super Eagles' defence.
The Caykur Rizespor man was forced off in the draw with Iran with an ankle injury but, with former Everton and Norwich centre-back Joseph Yobo on standby, Keshi is yet to make a decision on whether Oboabona is fit enough to start.
"I have received the medical reports on Godfrey and we are still very hopeful that before the D-day he may still make it," he added.
"Let's just be hopeful because he is an important player in the team."
Either Oboabona or Yobo will be selected to partner Kenneth Omeruo at the back for Nigeria, with the Chelsea youngster looking forward to pitting his wits against Bosnia's main man Edin Dzeko.
"It will be great to see how Edin Dzeko and I slug it out throughout the game," he said.
"Hopefully, they will play an open game and we will too, that would make it a very, very interesting game."
90 min: Three minutes of stoppage time. Corner for Bosnia. Pjanic takes it, it comes back to him, he lofts another cross in and Dzeko meets it with his head but it’s straight at Enyeama. Yet another weak effort.
88 min: Free kick to Bosnia 35 yards out . A chance to loft it into the area which they may as well do because they haven’t really shown that they have any other ideas. It’s lofted in, headed clear by Yobo. Some unofficial head tennis follows before it nearly opens up for a shot from Pjanic. Instead it comes to Misimovic but his shot is poor and goes wide.
86 min: What have Bosnia got left in their locker/in the tank/up their sleeve [delete depending on which commentator you are listening to]? Not much by the looks of things. It’s Nigeria who are on the attack and Emenike wins a free kick on the corner of the area.
84 min: Great challenge from Muhamed Besic as Onazi looks to get in on the right.
83 min: Emenike is down injured. Or wasting time as it's also known.
82 min: Another chance for Nigeria – this time it’s Emenike who shoots from distance but it’s always swerving wide and Begovic has it covered anyway.
80 min: Begovic is a called into action again to beat away a long range effort from Ogenyi Onazi. Bosnia look to counter through Pjanic, an attack that’s cynically brought to a halt by Mikel who picks up a yellow card.
75 min: Bosnia are pushing now but their ideas are more Gareth Keenan than David Brent. Muhamed Besic cuts in from the left but doesn’t really catch his shot properly and Enyeama saves easily.
74 min: Ejike Uzoenyi is on for Babatunde.
72 min: Michael Babatunde is finally going to have to come off. He's already left the field but nobody is on in his place yet. Bosnia have a corner on the left, It's swung in to the edge if the six-yard box and Ibisevic has a free header but it comes off his shoulder and goes over the bar. Huge chance for Bosnia.
70 min: Casual defending from Yobo who nonchalantly nods back to his goalkeeper after Dzeko fails to connect with a cross. Fortunately for the former Everton man Enyeama is able to gather.
68 min: Babatunde is down injured and is rolled off the pitch. It's a Bosnia free kick but the delivery is really poor and it sails over everyone and out for a goal kick.
"What Nigeria need (and I'm not joking) is Shola," Says Sally. "He will hold up the ball. Calm things a little. Obviously I don't really want to see calm. But it would help Nigeria." Well you've got it Sally. Shola 'calmness personified' Ameobi is on.
64 min: Ameobi straight into the action playing it to Emenike on the right. He shoots from a tight angle and Begovic is forced to scoop it behind. Well he’s not quite forced – nobody made him do it – but it would have gone in if he didn’t.
64 min: Nigeria change: Shola Ameobi on for Musa.
63 min: Safet Susic makes his final change bringing on his nephew Tino Sven Susic in place of Haris Medunjanin.
62 min: Lovely approach work from Pjanic but Dzeko can’t collect. He’s having one of those days. One of those days when he’s rubbish.
60 min: Two saves in a minute from Begovic keeps Bosnia's World Cup alive. First Babatunde fires from distance and Begovic beats it away. Then the ball richotes off Odemwingie into Emenike's path. The angle is tight but Begovic stays big and makes a vital block.
58 min: Titus Bramble would be ashamed of this performance by Emir Spahic. In fairness he may well be fouled this time by Emenike but his challenge is so weak he almost deserves it.
57 min: Another Bosnian change: Sejad Salihovic comes on for Senad Lulic.
56 min: Change for Bosnia: Vedad Ibisevic replaces Izet Hajrovic.
56 min: More good work from Emmanuel Emenike to tee-up Odemwingie whose shot is poor. Onazi's effort with the outside of his right seconds later is even worse.
54 min: Michael Babatunde crashes in a shot with his left foot from the edge of the area which Begovic beats away.
53 min: It’s not really coming off for Bosnia – first Dzeko and Hajrovic get in each other’s way when trying to get on the end of a cut back, then Musa makes a brilliant last ditch tackle to block Mujdza’s cross from the right.
52 min: A quick aside: here is how Argentine radio responded to Lionel Messi's injury time winner against Iran ...
50 min: Bosnia have a bit more urgency to their game this half, which is just as well as they’re 40 minutes away from going out of the tournament. Dzeko ties to roll Omerou on the edge of the area but the Nigeria defender stays with his man and wins the tackle.
Edin Dzeko - it's not going well (GETTY)
46 min: Everything good that happens for Bosnia comes through Pjanic and it’s the Roma man who picks out Dzeko who tries the unorthodox approach of kicking it as high as possible in the air but it lands on top of the Nigerian net.
Peep! We're underway in the second half. No changes to either side at the interval.
Martin Keown is recounting the game of beach football he played in Rio earlier on. It seems he clobbered some barefooted young lad with a two-footed challenge. He seems happy with this. Well played, Martin. Well played.
HALF TIME: NIGERIA 1 BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA 0 So far so good for the Nigerians. Bosnia have had chances, and Dzeko’s goal should never have been chalked off but they, and Spahic in particular, have been very shaky at the back and Emenike has prospered. That’s where the goal came from.
45 min: One minute of stoppage time is signalled on the big board as Dzeko again shoots from distance. It's the most difficult of his four chances and it's miles wide.
44 min: Another chance for Dzeko as the half to the close. Pjanic gets by Odemwingie far too easily on the right. He pulls back for the Man City man but this time it's a poor effort and Enyeama watches it sail over the bar.
42 min: Nigeria are knocking it around like they're Brazil from 1970. If Brazil from 1970 spent most of their time playing sideways passes in their own half, that is. Needless to say Jon Obi Mikel is heavily involved.
38 min: Emmanuel Emenike is fine but Musa picks up any slack on the right firing a low effort which Begovic pushes clear at his near post and then hops up to prevent the corner.
35 min: Emmanuel Emenike is causing all kinds of havoc on the right. Real havoc. Like a guy in a Tesco Express opening packets of biscuits and throwing them all over the floor nobody knows quite how to deal with him. He picks up a knock while allows everyone - me included - to pause for a quick water break.
33 min: A chance for an equaliser from Dzeko with a flick from a straight ball over the top. He can’t make proper contact.
Peter Odemwingie opens the scoring (REUTERS)
GOAL! NIGERIA 1 BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA 0 (Odemwingie 28) Don't say I didn't mark your card about world beater Peter Odenwingie. It's Emmanuel Emenike who makes it, bundling over Spahic on the right before pulling back for the Stoke man who makes no mistake from seven yards, firing low past his Stoke colleague Asmir Begovic. Bosnia are convinced Spahic was fouled but I don't think he was. in fact, I know he wasn't. 27 min: Good effort from Pjanic from the edge if the area which Enyeama makes a bit of a meal of saving. And not a very good meal.
An intense tactical battle is unfolding (GETTY)
24 min: Another great pass from Pjanic to Dzeko who is onside but the angle is tighter than before and he's under pressure from Omerou and Enyeama beats his shot away for a corner. Good spell for Bosnia.
23 min: Pjanic cuts inside one, two challenges and forces a save from Enyeama.
22 min: A lovely cross from Ambrose on the right is crying out for a Keith Houchen-esque diving header but none of the Nigerian players know who Keith Houchen is so the cross sails out for a throw on the far side.
21 min: Dzeko has the ball in the net but the flag is up for offside. It's a terrible decision. He's miles on as he races on to Pjanic's through ball and slots past Enyeama. Really poor decision.
20 min: Shot from distance by the lively Musa. Saved by Begovic.
18 min: Mensur Mujdza does something positive this time, winning a corner on the right. It taken deep and picked up by Zvjezdan Misimovic who checks inside and curls a shot which sails over the crossbar.
15 min: What are Bosnia playing at? I'm aware I've asked this already but nobody's answered yet. Emmanuel Emenike has a shot from distance that's going well wide of the goal. Rather than let it go out of play Mensur Mujdza (I think) whacks it straight back to a Nigerian player. Nothing comes of it but get it together, lads.
14 min: Another long range effort - this time from Lazio’s Ogenyi Onazi – and it’s saved by Begovic low to his right.
13 min: Peter Odemwingie is basically Lionel Messi, Ronaldo and Neymar rolled into one. QPR really should have let him in to the building that time. He skips past two challenges on the right touchline and spreads it wide to Musa who is offside.Still, silky skills from Odemwingie.
11 min: Jon Obi Mikel shoots. Jon Obi Mikel misses. As you were.
9 min: And here come Nigeria: Emmanuel Emenike tries to pick out the scampering Musa who is like a Jack Russell chasing a tennis ball in the park. And like a Jack Russell his first touch is rubbish and the chance disappears.
7 min: Smart effort from Muhamed Besic from the right corner of the area. It sails just over the crossbar. A good start, this.
6 min: Odemwingie's free kick goes just wide of the left hand post after taking a touch off the wall. A touch the refree fails to spot as he awards a goal kick.
5 min: What's Emir Spahic playing at? Before you say 'football', get a load of this. He passes stright to Musa who skips past Medunjanin who hauls him to the ground. A great foul, as Danny Murphy might say, but his mate put him in big trouble there. Medunjanin gets a yellow. Nigeria have a free kick.
4 min: Offside flag is up against Pjanic as he races onto a Dzeko through ball. It's the right decision but it came from a very loose attempt by Nigeria to play out from the back. Just hoof it lads. It's the way forward.
2 min: Emmanuel Emenike wins a corner on the right, which is more than he did in the entire 90 mintes against Iran. Musa takes, it's half-cleared as far as Onazi but he skews his shot high and wide.
1 min: Bosnia launch the first attack as Dzeko spins in the centre circle and lays off to the right where Mujdza is scampering forward. He tries to pick out Dzeko in the area but Yobo intercepts.
Peep! The referee, a Mr Peter O’Leary from New Zealand who I’m going to go out on a limb and guess has some Irish heritage, blows his whistle and Nigeria get the game underway.
22.55 The teams are on the pitch. My, the Bosnian anthem is solemn. And not a tear in sight from the players.
"Don't despair England," writes Andrew Waite. "Our footballers can still leave Brazil as Unofficial World Cup Champions by beating Costa Rica on Tuesday." 22.52 For those of you who prefer to look at the pictures rather than read the words, here are the teams ...
22.48 An email, from Graeme Wilson. A big, carefully considered email ...
Colombia = best team so far– Uninhibited football, even when they were being outplayed, they still looked dangerous! Should have lost according to every match statistic against Ivory Coast, but watching always looked like they would win. Compare England vs Uruguay – England – inhibited football, should have won on every match statistic, but watching game, always looked like they would lose.
When England made mistakes, looked like it got to them. When Colombia made mistakes they just brushed themselves down on got on with it again.
England did not loose from lack of skill or strategy or anything else other than attitude.
It’s OK to make mistakes and to be outplayed on occasion, - it’s not OK when you let the mistakes inhibit your game going forward – and it is not OK to let being outplayed on occasion degrade your confidence going forward.
England are out of the World Cup, not from lack of skill or strategy, but from lack of the winning attitude – and a big part of the winning attitude is maintaining confidence and NOT introverting into mistakes.
England are out because they were inhibited in their football.
Colombia are still in the World Cup because they have been uninhibited in their football.
Above everything else, it was Roy Hodgson’s job to field a confident and uninhibited team and if he can’t do that, then he should be replaced because however skilful the players they will never win anything without these ingredients.
Colombia may or may not win the World cup, but with that attitude they will always be dangerous to the opposition.
For England it was an all too “serious” affair – so of course they were going to lose!
22.40 Apologies in advance for the Anglo-centric question: BBC or ITV's opening credits - who wins?
22.30 The teams are here. The wonderful, beautiful teams. Nigeria bring Peter Odemwingie and Joseph Yobo into ntheir starting XI. For Bosnia, Haris Medunjanin and Toni Sunjic come in for Sead Kolasinac and Ermin Bicakcic
Nigeria: Vincent Enyeama; Efe Ambrose, Juwon Oshaniwa, Joseph Yobo, Kenneth Omeruo; John Obi Mikel, Ogenyi Onazi; Michael Babatunde, Peter Odemwingie, Ahmed Musa; Emmanuel Emenike.
Bosnia: Asmir Begovic, Mensur Mujdza, Senad Lulic, Toni Sunjic, Emir Spahic: Muhamed Besic, Haris Medunjanin, Miralem Pjanic; Izet Hajrovic, Zvjezdan Misimovic, Edin Dzeko.
19.00 Hello there. Welcome to live coverage of the Group F clash between Nigeria and Bosnia-Herzegovina from the Arena Pantanal in Cuiba.
More importantly this is the penultimate late night kick off (for those in the UK or mainland Europe) of this World Cup, a very sad state of affairs. Let the campaign start here (if it hasn’t started elsewhere already) for more live football at 11pm at night. We need it, we want it, and the customer is always right. Richard Scudamore: if you want to some way make up for the negative effect your over-bloated Premier League is having on the English national team then give us this and we’ll call it quits.
But anyway, on to tonight’s game.
Nigerians, look away now. You were miserable in the first game. Really miserable. But if there is some consolation it’s that Iran proved equally frustrating for Lionel Messi and Co earlier this evening. And this group remains wide open, though rumours of rifts, trouble and strife within the Nigeria camp would not exactly fill you with confidence.
As for the Bosnians and Herzegoviniansssssss, they were many people dark horses before this tournament, along with Chile, Belgium, South Korea, Colombia etc and so on. There was no shame in the opening game defeat to Argentina last Sunday, especially as it took an own goal and a magnificent Messi strike to seal the deal, and based on that performance (and Nigeria’s anaemic display) you would have to make Safet Sušić’s side favourites for a victory that would put them in pole position to get out of this group.
Team news and more to follow from Cuiba. In the meantime have a gander at John Ley’s match preview (below) or else gather the family round to watch Project Babb’s digital simulation of tonight’s game.
Nigeria vs Bosnia-Herzegovina
Arena Pantanal, Cuiaba
Kick-off: 23.00 BST.
TV: BBC.
Nigeria (Possible, 4-5-1): Enyeama; Ambrose, Oshaniwa, Omeruo, Yobo; Mikel, Musa, Onazi, Azeez, Moses; Emenike.
Out: Oboabona (ankle).
Tests: Omeruo, Musa, Gabriel (Unspecified).
Bosnia-Herzegovina (Possible, 4-5-1): Begovic; Mujdza, Kolasinac, Bicakcic, Spahic; Besic, Hajrovic, Pjanic, Ibisevic, Lulic; Dzeko
Referee: Peter O' Leary (New Zealand)
Betting: Nigeria 7-2, Bosnia 4-5, Draw 5-2.
Team News
Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has selection problems with Godfrey Oboabona ruled out with an ankle injury.
Three other players - Kenneth Omeruo, Ahmed Musa and Reuben Gabriel - could also be absent as Nigeria look for a result that could potentially send Bosnia home.
Bosnia, though, impressed against Argentina on Sunday night before eventually losing, and coach Safet Susic could name 10 of the starting 11 from that game, with Vedad Ibisevic, who came off the bench in the latter stages,in contention to start.
Match Notes
The Super Eagles face the Dragons in a fascinating clash of styles.
Nigeria have a point, Bosnia nothing and they play after top two Group F teams Argentina and Iran meet in Belo Horizonte.
Hard to see how theis will go, but Bosnia impressed against Argentina and could be strong enough to move closer to a last-16 spot.
Stat of the game: Nigeria have drawn four of their last five games.
John Ley's prediction: Nigeria 1 Bosnia-Herzegovina 2
11.15 Hello live blog reader. Evan Fanning will be here with all of the pre-match build-up from around 10.30pm so do come back then. While you wait here is a preview to this afternoon's game:
Bosnia-Herzegovina coach Safet Susic believes there is plenty more to come from his side as the World Cup newcomers look for their first win of the tournament at the expense of Nigeria on Saturday.
A good showing in their Group F opener against Argentina led to a narrow 2-1 defeat as Lionel Messi scored one of the goals of the competition to date.
With Nigeria and Iran holding each other to a goalless draw in a game bereft of quality, Susic now wants to see his side push on and progress into the knockout stages behind Argentina.
"We haven't shown everything we are capable of yet," he said.
"I hope that Argentina will win their other two games, because if they do then the second spot will be between Iran, Nigeria and Bosnia. I am convinced that we still have everything to play for."
Following a mediocre showing in their first game, Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi admits his players need to perform better across the board if they are to keep their own hopes of staying in the competition alive with a positive result in Cuiaba on Saturday.
"Yes, we need to work on scoring goals," he told Kick Off Nigeria.
"It is not only the attack that needs work; we also have to work on other departments too. Sometimes anxiety comes up on the players and they want to just score. I think they played well (against Iran) it was just mainly the finishing that is the problem."
Heading into the game, Keshi will be boosted by the news that defender Godfrey Oboabona could be fit in time to retain his place in the Super Eagles' defence.
The Caykur Rizespor man was forced off in the draw with Iran with an ankle injury but, with former Everton and Norwich centre-back Joseph Yobo on standby, Keshi is yet to make a decision on whether Oboabona is fit enough to start.
"I have received the medical reports on Godfrey and we are still very hopeful that before the D-day he may still make it," he added.
"Let's just be hopeful because he is an important player in the team."
Either Oboabona or Yobo will be selected to partner Kenneth Omeruo at the back for Nigeria, with the Chelsea youngster looking forward to pitting his wits against Bosnia's main man Edin Dzeko.
"It will be great to see how Edin Dzeko and I slug it out throughout the game," he said.
"Hopefully, they will play an open game and we will too, that would make it a very, very interesting game."
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