Onazi Speaks On His Injury From Hospital Bed

Onazi Speaks On His Injury From Hospital Bed

Babajide Orevba
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:47 PM

Nigeria's midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi, has spoken on Super Eagles exit from the ongoing 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

The Nigerian team were defeated 0-2 by the Les Blues of France on Monday's night with the two goals coming in the second half of the round of the 16 tie.

A header from Paul Pogba of Juventus and an own goal by Joseph Yobo secured a quarter final berth for the French team who had to dig deep for the victory.

* Nigeria's Ogenyi Onazi

The Italian Lazio had to be withdrawn against France just before an hour after a horror tackle from Blaise Matuidi left him in a heap during the second half of the match.

Speaking for the first time after the injury, Onazi went on his official handle shortly after Nigeria's ouster to congratulate the effort of his colleagues and thanked Nigerians for their prayers on his injury.

He also posted a photograph of his injured leg in POP.

* Injured leg of Onazi

Meanwhile, France midfielder Blaise Matuidi has expressed his "disappointment" with his tackle that forced Onazi off during the match.

The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder challenged the Lazio player in the centre of the field but was late to the ball and caught Onazi on the ankle – a blow that ended the 21-year-old's involvement and left Nigeria boss Stephen Keshi fuming.

Matuidi, who was only shown a yellow card for the tackle, has confessed that the challenge was a poor one but has protested that there was no intent to injure the Super Eagles man.

"I'm sorry," he told the media after the game. "I've not gone in to hurt him; I'm disappointed because I'm not a dirty player.

"I went into the Nigerian dressing room afterwards to apologise," the Toulouse player said.

Following the defeat suffered by the Nigerian team, captain of the team, Yobo has announced that he has ended his international career in the Super Eagles after 100 caps.

Coach Keshi is also reported to be considering his future with the African champions after leading the Eagles to glory at the 2013 Nations Cup in South Africa. Goal keeper Vincent Enyeama is also said to be planning to quit after 12 years in the Nigerian national team set up.

Below is Onazi's tweet:

Authors
Babajide Orevba photo
Babajide Orevba
Babajide Orevba is a CAF accredited Nigerian journalist and HOD of the Local Desk with over 10 years of experience in media landscape.He studied NCE Political Science/Social Studies, AOCOED.
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