Super Eagles news: Odemwingie breaks silence on 2014 World Cup incident — “We made a statement”

Former Super Eagles forward Peter Odemwingie has reflected on the team’s training boycott during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, Soccernet.ng reports.

Nigeria had qualified for the World Cup after finishing top of their qualifying group before beating Ethiopia 4-1 on aggregate in the playoff round to book their place at the tournament in Brazil.

The Super Eagles began their campaign with a goalless draw against Iran before recording a 1-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in their second game.

Despite losing 3-2 to Argentina in their final group game, Nigeria progressed to the knockout stage, where they were drawn against France in the round of 16.

However, it was ahead of that game that the Super Eagles were involved in a major dispute with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over unpaid bonuses and appearance fees.

Odemwingie reveals why Super Eagles players boycotted training

The players refused to board the team bus for a training session ahead of their round-of-16 clash with France, with Odemwingie revealing that the decision was linked to unpaid bonuses.

“Fighting in public for our funds in Brazil World Cup. We boycotted one training session as a team and I heard last time as well they were unpaid and boycotted”, the former West Bromwich Albion star said during an interview.

Odemwingie admitted that the players were not comfortable with the situation, but explained that the team felt they had to take a stand, especially because some of the younger players needed the money more than others.

The former Nigeria international went on to explain that although he personally would not have wanted the situation to escalate, the players eventually decided to make their feelings known.

“Obviously I wouldn’t have personally have allowed it to go too far, but we made a statement and it went public. It was shameful for us, but the whole team sat and decided to send a message out to the oga dem at the top — ‘we are not training this afternoon.’

“So we missed the training and they sorted what they had to sort out. Obviously, it hurt me sitting there and thinking like we’re not really here for the money, but something is still not right. You know — what will the bonus do for us? Not really much, but there are some players that the money is life-changing for them, like the upcoming ones that might never play top-level football ever”, the ex-Super Eagles striker recalled.

“So that little $10,000 or $20,000 they could get from this event could make them buy a house back home and there are many cases of players that got to the Super Eagles and after one or two caps, their careers in club football never went well.

“And all they could have as an investment was just that pot from the national team time. We were aware of this”, Odemwingie added.

On early days with the national team

Odemwingie made 65 appearances for Nigeria, scoring 11 goals, and won three Africa Cup of Nations bronze medals during his international career. He was also named in the Team of the Tournament at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.

The former West Brom forward, who had earlier revealed why he left the club during his playing days, made his Super Eagles debut in 2002 against Kenya in a 3-0 victory and recalled how different his financial situation was when he first joined the national team.

“When I was coming to the national team camp early days from La Louviere, I was only on a salary of €3,000, while some people were on €50,000 and they were wearing Rolex watches and I didn’t.

“But, I wasn’t just thinking it was going to make a difference in my life because I wanted to go make a career, get to the big club and earn a big pay.

“This shouldn’t be happening in our squad, where the players have to say such. Sometimes it’s principle as well”, he concluded.

The Super Eagles eventually returned to training after the dispute over their bonuses was resolved. 

Nigeria then faced France in the round of 16 on June 30, but suffered a 2-0 defeat which ended their campaign in Brazil.