World Cup: Yobo's Dream

....what if I can make it to 104 in Brazil?

For Joseph Yobo, the pre-match ritual is as much a part of the game as the half-time team talk. In his 16 years as a professional, the Nigeria defender has always readied himself for action the same way, slipping on his shirt and then singing and praying before stepping on to the pitch. It is a routine he has gone through innumerable times – but on precisely 100 occasions for the Super Eagles. A sterling servant for his country, Yobo had the honour of bringing up his century of caps against Argentina in Nigeria's final Group F game at Brazil 2014.

Although his side slipped to a 3-2 loss in that match, the 33-year-old came away with almost entirely positive memories. After all, not only did he hit a significant personal milestone, Bosnia and Herzegovina's 3-1 victory against Iran ensured that Nigeria tied down a berth in the Round of 16. "Qualifying for the knockout phase was our first objective," the Super Eagles' captain told FIFA.com. "We're very happy because that hadn't happened to us since 1998. This time, we did it with pride, by finishing second and trying to win first place against Argentina."

'I'm proud of our team'
They gave the South Americans a genuine scare too, though Yobo feels they could have done even more. "We're disappointed because we didn't play that game to win it from the very first minute," explained the Fenerbahce stopper, who spent the last six months on loan at Norwich City. "We thought a draw would be a good result, but in the second half we came out even stronger to try and win the match. That's what we should have done from the very first minute."

Brazil 2014: Stephen Keshi blasts Nigerian fans

           Local World Cup viewers tune out after opener

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has lashed out at the country’s fans, saying it is a shame they have abused his person for the team’s showing at Brazil 2014. The Super Eagles and coach Keshi came under heavy fire from angry fans after they could only manage a 0-0 draw with Iran in their opening group game at the World Cup in Brazil.

But Keshi has taken serious exception to the fans’ rage, saying there was no justification for them to insult his person. “I am disappointed, totally disappointed (by the personal attacks), but it’s their thing, no wahala (no problem),” blasted Keshi in Brazil.

Full time: NIGERIA 1 BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA 0

Bosnia and Herzegovina will curse that post and Enyeama's foot until the end of time as Dzeko had one of his best chances of the night in the last minute, receiving the ball off his chest and then pivoting about eight yards from the goal, but he didn’t put enough pace on it and it was snuffed out by Enyeama.

Nigeria have their first World Cup win since 1998 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. The win was not without controversy, as Edin Dzeko saw a goal incorrectly ruled out for offside.

Brazil 2014: Chelsea Congratulates Mikel, Moses and Omeruo

The Chelsea FC of London has congratulated the Nigerian trio, Mikel, Mose and Omeruo for making the Nigerian Eagles Squad to the Brazil FIFA World Cup. 

Nigeria will be one of the nations with the greatest Chelsea representation at the World Cup which starts next week. John Mikel Obi, Victor Moses and Kenneth Omeruo are selected by the Nigerian national team coach Stephen Keshi as part of the Super Eagles' squad.

It will be the first World Cup finals for all three, Mikel having missed out on the 2010 tournament due to injury.

The reigning African champions start their group stage against Iran with games versus Bosnia and Herzegovina and Argentina to follow.