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CUIABA, Brazil -- Nigeria ended a 16-year wait for a victory in a World Cup match Saturday, beating Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-0 courtesy of Peter Odemwingies first-half goal and knocking the tournament newcomers out of contention. Only a point is needed by Nigeria from its last Group F game -- against already-qualified Argentina -- to reach the knockout stage after Odemwingie finished from close range in the 29th minute following one of many powerful runs by his strike partner Emmanuel Emenike. Playing hours after Ghanas plucky 2-2 draw with Germany, Nigeria gave African football another lift following its continents inauspicious start to the tournament. Prior to Saturday, the five African teams had claimed just one win and a draw in seven matches in Brazil. "Its something awesome for Africa," said Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, who tipped Edin Dzekos shot onto the post in the final few seconds to preserve the win. "Africa needed that win, something to boost the confidence back home." The Bosnians are sure to go home after the group stage, and will wonder if things may have gone differently had Dzekos goal in the 21st minute not been ruled out for offside. Replays appeared to show the officials may have got the call wrong. "The referee was shameful for this competition," Dzeko said. But Nigeria deserved its win, with Emenike causing all sorts of problems for Bosnia-Herzegovinas defence with his strength and direct running in energy-sapping conditions in the western Brazilian city of Cuiaba. At the other end, the experienced Joseph Yobo was back as captain and marshalled the defence in his 99th international game. Dzeko and the Bosnians technical midfielders carved out few clear-cut opportunities. "They surprised us with their speed and movement," Bosnia-Herzegovina coach Safet Susic said. "They wanted to win probably that much more than us." There was added motivation for Keshis team, which was seeking to boost the spirits of Nigerians in the wake of a suicide bombing attack at a World Cup viewing site in the northeast of their country. At least 14 people died in the blast. After weathering a bright start by the Bosnians, Nigeria went ahead when Emenike powered past the tame challenge of Bosnia defender Emir Spahic, charged down the right flank and crossed for Odemwingie, who shot first-time through the legs of goalkeeper Asmir Begovic -- his teammate at English club Stoke. Odemwingie is back in the World Cup squad after two years away from the national team following a falling-out with Keshi, and he was starting after an impressive cameo as a substitute in the 0-0 draw with Iran. "I couldnt dream of a better comeback in a tournament like the World Cup," Odemwingie said. "I have had to start building from scratch. Everyone had faith in me." After the goal, Nigeria dominated and only a slew of smart saves by Begovic, who denied Michael Babatunde and Emenike, prevented the African champions from going further ahead. Dzeko -- compared with Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar by Susic in the build-up to the match -- had a disappointing night, with his finishing off-key and control poor at times. When he did find the target, he was either denied by the officials or by that late, brilliant save from Enyeama. The Bosnians have one game left, against Iran on Wednesday, to try to end their debut World Cup with at least a point to show for their efforts. Victor Moses Jersey .com) - The red-hot Los Angeles Kings take aim at an eighth straight victory on Monday night as they wrap up a road trip versus the Calgary Flames. Kepa Arrizabalaga Jersey . In Europe, top teams seem to be largely happy with their squads after spending nearly $1 billion in the off-season. 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Brett Bulmer scored the lone goal for the Wild (6-11-0), who dropped their sixth straight contest.NEW YORK, N.Y. - Next January the Hall of Fame focus will turn to Ken Griffey Jr., Trevor Hoffman and Billy Wagner after an unprecedented dominance by starting pitchers over a two-year span.When Griffey left the Seattle Mariners in 2010, there was no farewell tour. The 40-year-old outfielder pretty much drove off into the night: Griffey got in his car, headed out of Seattle in the middle of a series against Minnesota and telephoned the Mariners with his retirement decision while en route to his home in Orlando, Florida.He started to get a feeling for ceremonies when he was inducted into the Mariners Hall of Fame in 2013 and then joined his father, Ken Griffey Sr., in the Cincinnati Reds Hall last year.The ultimate goal as an individual player is to be in the Hall of Fame when you grow up, Junior said then. This is no different. To be in the Hall of Fame with my dad is special.Hoffman and Wagner will seek to join Dennis Eckersley, Rollie Fingers, Goose Gossage, Bruce Sutter and Hoyt Wilhelm as the only pitchers in the Hall who were primarily relievers. The top holdover on the 2016 ballot will be catcher Mike Piazza, who received 69.9 per cent support on his third try this year, 28 votes shy of the 75 per cent needed.Hoffman held the career saves record with 601 before Mariano Rivera topped him with 652. While Wagner had 422 saves, his 2.31 ERA was far better than Hoffmans 2.87. Both were seven-time All-Stars.Gossage spent years arguing relievers were underappreciated — especially in his era, before closers were limited mainly to the final three outs.Thee bullpen was kind of a junk pile where starters went that couldnt start anymore.ddddddddddddIt wasnt a glamorous place to be like it is today, he said prior to his election. Now it takes three guys to do kind of what I used to do.Before Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine last year, the only starting pitcher voted in by the writers since Nolan Ryan in 1999 had been Bert Blyleven, elected on his 14th try in 2011. Following the election of Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez and John Smoltz on Tuesday, five pitchers who were for the most part starters were voted in during a two-year span, joined by offensive stars Frank Thomas in 2014 and Craig Biggio this year.The only other pitchers elected since Ryan had been a trio who made it for bullpen success: Eckersley (2004), Sutter (2006) and Gossage (2008).And the five pitchers in the last two elections all made it on their first try. Before that only starting pitchers elected on the first ballot since Warren Spahn in 1973 had been Bob Gibson (1981), Jim Palmer (1990), Tom Seaver (1992), Steve Carlton (1994) and Ryan.After this year, no starting pitcher figures to get substantial support until Roy Halladay in 2019, when Rivera also will be eligible for the first time.Lee Smith, who received 30 per cent support this year, maintains the evolution of baseball has put the priority on the bullpen over the rotation.You see of any team in the last 10 years, if they dont have a good closer, they dont go anywhere, he said in 2006. If I was going to start a ballclub, I think I would start with a closer and go back. ' ' '