Ogu opens up on World Cup regrets
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Super Eagles midfielder John Ogu has opened up on his absence from the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and his disappointment at being left on the bench for the entire 2018 edition of the Mundial in Russia.
Ogu was not on the late manager Stephen Keshi's roster in the Eagles squad for the World Cup in Brazil, but he was on the roster under Gernot Rohr for the World Cup in Russia four years ago.
The 34-year-old made his senior debut in 2013 against Kenya in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, replacing the injured Victor Moses in the 51st minute.
He also appeared in two other qualifiers against Kenya in the second leg and against Namibia.
Despite being invited for the remainder of the playoffs, the midfielder played no part as he was left on the bench by the coach.
After being absent from the squad for a long time, Ogu was recalled to the national team by Franco-German Rohr in 2017, for the 2018 World Cup qualifier against Algeria, but he didn't play any part in the Eagles' 3-1 win at Uyo.
Despite traveling to Russia with the squad, Ogu again failed to see a minute of action as Nigeria took on Croatia, Iceland and Argentina in group D.
Speaking to Pulse Sports, Kabilio Jaffa midfielder, who had only made 24 appearances for Nigeria, said he was shocked at his lack of playing time in the team.
"The first World Cup I was supposed to attend, in a pre-World Cup match against Italy, I did well," Ogu said.
"Everyone was sure that John Ogu would go to the World Cup. Even when Keshi said not everyone would be on the team, I was sure I wasn't among those he was referring to.
"And then the roster came out, my name wasn't on it. And the painful part was that, unlike me, some of the names on the roster didn't play a qualifying game . And that's how I missed this World Cup."
He added: "And then another was the last World Cup, the dream (to go to the competition) came true, and the man (Rohr) didn't bother me. didn't even give a minute.
"Even when I needed to be on the pitch, when the team needed me against Argentina, he didn't bring me in. It was painful too. " Ogu also recalled the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, where Nigeria lost in the semi-finals to eventual winners Algeria.
"The second was the CAN 2019 semi-final, where we lost against Algeria and we couldn't qualify for the final. It was tough, although I was not in the field."
Please share this story:
Super Eagles midfielder John Ogu has opened up on his absence from the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and his disappointment at being left on the bench for the entire 2018 edition of the Mundial in Russia.
Ogu was not on the late manager Stephen Keshi's roster in the Eagles squad for the World Cup in Brazil, but he was on the roster under Gernot Rohr for the World Cup in Russia four years ago.
The 34-year-old made his senior debut in 2013 against Kenya in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, replacing the injured Victor Moses in the 51st minute.
He also appeared in two other qualifiers against Kenya in the second leg and against Namibia.
Despite being invited for the remainder of the playoffs, the midfielder played no part as he was left on the bench by the coach.
After being absent from the squad for a long time, Ogu was recalled to the national team by Franco-German Rohr in 2017, for the 2018 World Cup qualifier against Algeria, but he didn't play any part in the Eagles' 3-1 win at Uyo.
Despite traveling to Russia with the squad, Ogu again failed to see a minute of action as Nigeria took on Croatia, Iceland and Argentina in group D.
Speaking to Pulse Sports, Kabilio Jaffa midfielder, who had only made 24 appearances for Nigeria, said he was shocked at his lack of playing time in the team.
"The first World Cup I was supposed to attend, in a pre-World Cup match against Italy, I did well," Ogu said.
"Everyone was sure that John Ogu would go to the World Cup. Even when Keshi said not everyone would be on the team, I was sure I wasn't among those he was referring to.
"And then the roster came out, my name wasn't on it. And the painful part was that, unlike me, some of the names on the roster didn't play a qualifying game . And that's how I missed this World Cup."
He added: "And then another was the last World Cup, the dream (to go to the competition) came true, and the man (Rohr) didn't bother me. didn't even give a minute.
"Even when I needed to be on the pitch, when the team needed me against Argentina, he didn't bring me in. It was painful too. " Ogu also recalled the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, where Nigeria lost in the semi-finals to eventual winners Algeria.
"The second was the CAN 2019 semi-final, where we lost against Algeria and we couldn't qualify for the final. It was tough, although I was not in the field."
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