Bosnia Goalie Warns: Osaze'll Be Threat In Brazil If...

 

NO international defence can take the threat of Peter Osaze Odemwingie lightly... if he’s on the plane to Brazil this summer.

That’s the view of the winger’s Stoke City team-mate and potential World Cup rival Asmir Begovic.

Begovic will face the daunting strike force of Lionel Messi and Sergio Agüero when Bosnia open their campaign against Argentina in the Maracanã Stadium on June 15.

The Stoke keeper could then come up against the in-form Odemwingie six days later.

But Odemwingie first has to force his way back into the Nigeria squad, which manager Stephen Keshi warns will be no easy task, despite his Premier League goals.

Begovic said: “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.

“There’s going to be difficult games and no match will be easy. The guys from Argentina will take some beating.

“I wish we were playing Geoff Cameron and the American lads, as that would have been funny and the banter would have been a bit higher.

“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.”

Odemwingie has been quick to impress since arriving at the Britannia Stadium from Cardiff City in January.

The 32-year-old has scored three times in seven games mostly from the right wing, including two in a 3-1 win over West Ham last Saturday.

Begovic added: “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.

“The only thing is his Michael Jackson songs... I’ve seen the video. We all saw it. He still thinks it’s a good thing, but no-one else is convinced.”