Taiwo given all clear after injury fear

Nigerian team media officer Idah Peterside said on Sunday Taiwo had suffered a sharp pain after stubbing his foot while firing a long range shot just wide of the Argentine goal during the second half of the match at Ellis Park.

He was taken off in the 75th minute of the 1-0 defeat, prompting concern he had suffered a serious injury and could be out for the tournament.

"He's fine and took part in a light run for the players who played in yesterday's game," Peterside told Reuters.

Taiwo, 25, regained his place at left back for Nigeria's first match of the World Cup after being dropped during January's African Nations Cup finals.

A moment's lapse in concentration gifted a goal to Gabriel Heinze in the sixth minute and ultimately consigned Nigeria to a 1-0 defeat in Saturday's game against Argentina.

"To hold a team like Argentina to 1-0 was a good job," striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni told reporters. "The goalkeeper was unbelievable and without him it would have been three or four goals."