Ogenyi Onazi: How I Dominated Pogba and Matuidi Before Matuidi Injury Ended Nigeria’s 2014 World Cup Dream Against France

Ogenyi Onazi has named Nigeria’s Round of 16 clash with France at the 2014 FIFA World Cup as the standout match of his international career — a game he believes the Super Eagles were on course to take something from before a reckless challenge from Blaise Matuidi cut short his involvement.

The former Lazio midfielder, who earned 53 senior caps for Nigeria after making his international debut in 2012, spoke candidly about a contest that ended in a 2-0 defeat but left a lasting impression on him personally. “I know a lot of people will be surprised by this answer, but I have participated in two World Cups and, for me, the game against France in the Round of 16 is my best,” Onazi said in a recent interview.

“I was playing very well and dominating that French midfield that had Paul Pogba and Blaise Matuidi. I felt we could get something from the game.”

Nigeria had progressed from Group F, finishing behind Argentina, before facing a heavily favoured French side in the knockout rounds. Onazi was central to neutralising a French engine room that included two of Europe’s most prominent midfielders at the time, and his performance was drawing considerable attention before the match turned on a pivotal moment.

Matuidi’s tackle on Onazi forced the Nigerian off the pitch on a stretcher. France capitalised almost immediately, scoring twice in the closing stages to end Nigeria’s tournament. “I was really happy with my performance and the team’s performance against the French, whom many thought would overrun us,” Onazi added. “Unfortunately, I suffered a nasty injury when Matuidi tackled me. I had to leave the game and it was from there that they took the initiative and won the game. It was a bittersweet experience for me, but it remains my best game at the World Cup.”

Onazi’s 2014 campaign in Brazil was arguably the peak of his World Cup involvement. He featured in every match during that tournament, contributing consistently across the group stage before the injury in the last-16 tie. By the time the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia came around, he was reduced to the role of unused substitute as Nigeria again exited at the group stage.

Beyond his World Cup appearances, Onazi was a key figure in a significant chapter of Nigerian football history, having been part of the squad that won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa — a title that remains Nigeria’s most recent continental triumph.

Since that 2018 World Cup appearance, Nigeria have failed to qualify for subsequent editions of the tournament, a run of absence that has drawn criticism from former players and supporters alike. Former Super Eagles midfielder Kadiri Ikhana is among those who have publicly expressed disappointment over the national team’s inability to return to football’s biggest stage.

The 2014 encounter with France remains one of the more discussed matches in Super Eagles history — a contest that many Nigerian fans believe could have gone differently had Onazi remained on the pitch. His recollection reinforces that view, though the result stands as part of a broader narrative of near-misses for Nigerian football at the highest level.