Improving Nigeria face Messi's Argentina with last 16 in reach

PHOTOS | ADRIAN DENNIS | LUIS ACOSTA A combination of file pictures shows Argentina's forward Lionel Messi (left) celebrating a goal in Belo Horizonte on June 21, 2014 and Nigeria's forward Peter Odemwingie reacting after scoring in Cuiaba on June 21, 2014. Argentina will face Nigeria in their final Group F match at the 2014 FIFA World Cup football tournament on June 25, 2014.   AFP

In Summary

• Upsets have not been uncommon - Spain and England will be watching the knockout stages on television - with a number of unheralded sides holding their own against supposedly mightier sides.
• Both Bosnia and Iran largely succeeded in limiting his freedom but as with all great players, he found a way where none appeared to come to his side's rescue.

Standings

1/8 Final

BRA	-	CHI
1C	-	2D
NED	-	MEX
1D	-	2C
1E	-	2F
1G	-	2H
1F	-	2E
1H	-	2G

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By Mark Namanya
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BELO HORIZONTE

The most consistent fact about Brazil 2014 thus far has been its unpredictability.

 

Upsets have not been uncommon - Spain and England will be watching the knockout stages on television - with a number of unheralded sides holding their own against supposedly mightier sides.

Cue Nigeria. The reigning African champions gave themselves a shot in the arm by holding off Bosnia Herzegovina to go within a point of qualification to the last 16 - for only the second time in their history.

It was a great performance from a team that needed maximum points, and they duly achieved that through a Peter Osaze Odemwingie goal.

For Stephen Keshi, there were plenty of positives. Nigeria finally got a goal after he started Odemwingie while at the back they held firm against a Bosnia side awash with quality attackers.

Nigeria could even qualify on four points should Iran and Bosnia cancel out one another in their last group game. Bosnia are out but Iran have a chance of going through - if they thrash Bosnia and Argentina beat the Super Eagles in the final group game.

Argentina have been dismal in their two opening matches struggling for rhythm and carving palpable chances. What they have however is the four-time World Player of the Year, the little magician, Lionel Messi.

ARGENTINA'S SAVIOUR

Messi, who turned 27 on Tuesday, has been Argentina's saviour in Brazil - scoring two late winners to ensure they claim maximum points in their opening two matches.

(READ: Messi stunner saves Argentina against Iran)

Both Bosnia and Iran largely succeeded in limiting his freedom but as with all great players, he found a way where none appeared to come to his side's rescue.

Nigeria will be wary of Messi, Argentina's skipper. It is natural. Every side in the world is wary of him.

Slowly but sure, his influence at the World Cup is growing. Yet it is acknowledged that he is not playing anywhere near his best.

Bosnia and Iran zoned him out for long spells and seemed to succeed before the diminutive genius struck at the death.

Messi's already qualified Argentina in Porto Alegre on Wednesday will offer the African champions a chance to claim a first appearance in the last 16 since 1998 but marking the Barcelona forward remains Keshi's nightmare.