Peter Odemwingie explains Nigeria’s 2014 World Cup training boycott

Former Nigeria forward Peter Odemwingie says the Super Eagles’ decision to boycott training before their 2014 FIFA World Cup last-16 match against France was driven by unpaid bonuses and appearance fees.

Nigeria’s players refused to board the team bus for a training session in Brazil, creating a dispute with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) just days before the knockout tie.

Odemwingie said the squad was uncomfortable with the situation but believed it had to take a stand, particularly because some of the younger players relied on the money more than others.

The former West Brom player acknowledged that he would not personally have wanted the disagreement to escalate, but said the players ultimately decided to make their position clear.

“We made a statement,” Odemwingie said in his reflection on the incident.

Nigeria had reached the tournament after finishing top of their qualifying group and then beating Ethiopia 4-1 on aggregate in the play-off round.

They opened their World Cup campaign with a goalless draw against Iran before claiming a 1-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in their second group match.

A 3-2 defeat by Argentina in their final group game was still enough to send Nigeria through to the knockout stage, where they were paired with France.

The bonus dispute emerged before that match, when the players’ concerns over the money owed to them led to the cancelled training journey. The team eventually returned to work after the issue was resolved.

Nigeria played France in the last 16 on 30 June but lost 2-0, bringing their campaign in Brazil to an end.

Odemwingie also recalled how different his financial circumstances were when he first joined the national team.

He made his Nigeria debut in 2002 during a 3-0 win over Kenya and went on to win three Africa Cup of Nations bronze medals. He was also selected in the Team of the Tournament at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.

The former Super Eagles forward won 65 international caps and scored 11 goals during his career.