We were robbed, say Bosnian media

Nigeria celebrates after defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-0 during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Group F match between Nigeria and Bosnia Herzegovina.

Belgrade - Bosnian media and fans were furious at New Zealand referees Sunday after their team's 0-1 loss to Nigeria and elimination from their first World Cup.

“Theft in Cuiaba - Bosnia says goodbye after shameful refereeing,” the Sarajevo daily Dnevni Avaz said. 

Edin Dzeko of Bosnia and Herzegovina directs a header on goal against Kenneth Omeruo of Nigeria during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Group F match between Nigeria and Bosnia-Herzegovina at Arena Pantanal.

“Bosnia's regular goal disallowed, then handed as a present to Nigeria,” fumed the Nezavisne Novine from Banjaluka.

Edin Dzeko's 20th-minute goal was ruled an offside. Eight minutes later Emenike plowed through a Bosnian defender to deliver Odemwingie for the winning goal. 

Fans of Bosnia react after Nigeria scored a goal against Bosnia during a live telecast of the 2014 World Cup match at the main square in Sarajevo. Nigeria beat Bosnia 1-0 to record their first World Cup finals victory since 1998 and condemn the European team to an early exit in their first appearance at the tournament.

Bosnian media insist that Dzeko was not in an illegal position and that Nigeria scored after Emenike had committed a foul.

After losing their maiden World Cup appearance against Argentina, Bosnia are left without a chance of advancing past the group stage.

“Bosnia were better throughout the match ... but are going home, partly owing to amateur referees, partly to endless flopping by Nigerians,” Avaz said. 

Referee Peter O Leary from New Zealand gestures as he stands alongside Bosnia’s Vedad Ibisevic, left, and Nigeria’s Joseph Yobo during the group F World Cup soccer match between Nigeria and Bosnia at the Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba, Brazil.

“We hope that (the world football organization) FIFA will finally realize the horror it creates by allowing people like Peter O'Leary to referee,” the news portal Klix.ba said.

The other former Yugoslav republic at the World Cup, Croatia, also bitterly complained of refereeing in their opener and 1-2 loss to hosts Brazil. 

A general view of the Arena during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Group F match between Nigeria and Bosnia-Herzegovina at Arena Pantanal on June 21, 2014 in Cuiaba, Brazil.