Bosnia keeper wary of Osaze Bosnia-Herzegovina goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has labelled Osaze Odemwingie as a threat should the forward make it to the World Cup with Nigeria and confronts him in their duel on June 21. Odemwingie has been excluded from the Super Eagles since 2012 following a spat with coach Stephen Keshi after being substituted in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Rwanda in Kigali. But Begovic, who plays alongside the Nigerian at Stoke City, is convinced Odemwingie is among some of the top strikers that can cause trouble for any defence at the World Cup. The two teams are in the same group as Argentina and Iran and it will be the first time both sides will meet at any level in football. Bosnia-Herzegovina are making their first appearance at the World Cup, while it will be Nigeria’s fifth appearance. “There are a lot of great forwards in our group, and Peter’s going to be up there. It all depends on who performs in the summer,” Begovic told Stoke Sentinel. “There’re going to be difficult games and no match will be easy. The guys from Argentina will take some beating. “Me and Peter have been teasing each other a little bit. He’s not quite sure he’s going to be in the squad yet and we all have to keep working hard to make sure we get our places for Brazil. “Once the squads gets finalised I’m sure the banter, the texts and the jokes will be flowing.” Since joining Stoke in January, Odemwingie, 32, has scored three times in seven games including two in a 3-1 win over West Ham last Saturday. Begovic said, “He’s been great. I’d heard some good things about him from before, and he’s enjoying playing in the team as much as we’re enjoying having him. “It seems like the system and the way we are trying to play suits him well. He’s been committed to the cause right from the start. “Normally it takes a while for new players to settle in, but Peter’s been flying. He’s given us a bit more pace and skill as well, things we needed. “He’s been a huge signing for us and that’s great work by the coaches to get him here.”
Posted on: Fri, 21 Mar 2014 04:02:46 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015