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Ogenyi Onazi and Brown Ideye for Nigeria. Photo by IMAGO<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Former Super Eagles midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has revealed his favourite moment at the World Cup for Nigeria, Soccernet.ng<\/u><\/a>\u00a0reports.<\/strong><\/p>\n The former Lazio midfielder enjoyed a remarkable international career with the Super Eagles. He first made his mark on the global stage when he helped Nigeria finish as runners-up at the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup before making his senior debut in 2012.<\/p>\n Onazi went on to earn 53 caps for Nigeria and was a key member of the squad that won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, securing the country’s third continental title and\u00a0their\u00a0most recent AFCON triumph till\u00a0date.<\/p>\n The midfielder also represented Nigeria at two FIFA World Cups. He played a prominent role at the 2014 tournament in Brazil, featuring in every match until the team’s elimination, while he remained on the bench throughout the group stage at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.<\/p>\n Nigeria finished second in Group F behind Argentina\u00a0with four points\u00a0at the 2014 World Cup, setting up a Round of 16 clash against France, who had finished top of their own group.<\/p>\n Speaking\u00a0during an interview,\u00a0Onazi revealed that the knockout encounter against Les Bleus remains his most memorable World Cup match, despite ending in defeat.<\/p>\n \u201cI 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\u201d,\u00a0O<\/u>nazi said<\/u>, via Footy-Africa.<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n Nigeria had given a good account of themselves against the tournament favourites, but the turning point came in the second half when Onazi was stretchered off following a reckless challenge from Matuidi.<\/p>\n The Nigerian midfielder had been influential in the middle of the park against the likes of Pogba and Matuidi, but his injury proved costly for the Super Eagles. France seized control after his departure and went on to score twice, securing a 2-0 victory that ended Nigeria’s World Cup campaign.<\/p>\n \u201cI was really happy with my performance and the team’s performance against the French, whom many thought would overrun us\u201d, the former Lazio midfielder added.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u201cUnfortunately, 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.\u00a0It\u00a0was a bittersweet experience for me, but it remains my best game at the World Cup.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n That defeat to France remains Nigeria’s\u00a0last\u00a0World Cup match,\u00a0as the\u00a0Super Eagles\u00a0have\u00a0failed to qualify for the last two editions of the tournament, including the ongoing\u00a02026 World Cup<\/u><\/a>\u00a0in the United States, Canada and Mexico.<\/p>\n Eric Chelle\u2019s men\u00a0will now turn\u00a0their attention to\u00a0the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, which begin in September, as\u00a0they\u00a0look to avoid another major tournament disappointment and\u00a0book their place at the continental showpiece.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/thumbor\/19ZdBN35ux8Ew9DOvYI8yN2uc4s=\/3899x3000\/smart\/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.soccernet.ng%2Fmain%2F2026%2F06%2F70713215-D124-4E81-ABA0-55056954816B.jpeg\")
Soccer Onazi reveals favourite Super Eagles World Cup memory<\/h2>\n
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