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Group D - Nigeria-Bulgaria, Nigerian dream a reality |
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Victor Ikpeba, the man who shot Nigeria into the second round of the World Cup on Friday with his first goal for his country, described his 27th-minute 1-0 winner against Bulgaria as "a collective effort."
Ikpeba shot home from 10 meters after some skillful work from teammates.
He told reporters, "Of course, I'm very happy to have scored but it is the team that deserves the credit. It was a tough game and it has been very tough all the way."
Ikpeba had drawn a blank in his first 17 full internationals and had angered his teammates before the World Cup started by complaining about their preparations. But that was all forgotten in the 27th minute.
Midfielder Jay-Jay Okocha found striker Daniel Amokachi, the only change in the Nigerian starting lineup after reclaiming his place following a knee injury in training, and he tapped the ball on for Ikpeba to do the rest.
Ikpeba wrongfooted the experienced Bulgarian captain Trifon Ivanov and then slipped the ball past Zdravko Zdravkov.
Ikpeba had other chances in the 29th and 39th minutes while Sunday Oliseh tried a few of his spectacular long range shots.
France is a possible second-round opponent but Ikpeba, who plays for Monaco, said, "France are a team we would want to avoid -- they have scored seven goals after all -- but if we have to we will play them.
"The victory is a great tribute to African football, which has made such progress."
Nigeria coach Bora Milutinovic said, "For us this was a very difficult game especially after the match against Spain.
"I'm pleased with how we played in the first half and I'm pleased that (Nwankwo) Kanu played in the second half and that Daniel (Amokachi) was able to start."
Bulgaria might have equalized three minutes from time when Emil Kostadinov let fly only to be denied by a finger-tip save on to the bar by Peter Rufai.
"People like a spectacle, we gave them a spectacle," said Milutinovic.
Rufai, who had looked shaky in the opening 3-2 defeat of Spain, held firm despite causing occasional flutters for Nigerian fans in the second half.
But his save from the screaming Kostadinov effort ensured the three points went to Nigeria.
Bulgarian coach Hristo Bonev said, "I think that we were the better team on the pitch and tactically, too. We didn't allow them to play their game. We created a lot of chances but we did not take them.
"In my view...it was a very well balanced game until they scored. That hurt us a lot and killed it for us. In the second half I don't think Nigeria had many serious chances.
"Now we have to beat Spain and we'll do everything to do so."
Nigeria will need a new captain for its remaining group match against Paraguay after Uche Okechukwu was booked in the 42nd minute, his second yellow card of the tournament.
A cheer went up in the 68th minute when midfielder Kanu replaced Amokachi, coming on for a World Cup debut that would have been unthinkable 18 months ago, when he underwent heart surgery that threatened to end his career.
He showed his strength by ripping in a dangerous shot in he 77th that Zdravkov pushed out for a corner.
