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Tag: Odemwingie

  • Ex-Super Eagles Odemwingie recalls  experiences  in NPFL  

    Ex-Super Eagles Odemwingie recalls  experiences  in NPFL  

    Former Super Eagles forward Osaze Odemwingie has reflected on his time in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), revealing the influential figures he learned from during his time in Benin City.

    Speaking in a candid interview, Odemwingie recalled arriving in the city at the age of 17, where he was surrounded by a host of experienced players and coaches.

    Former Super Eagles winger Osaze Odemwingie recalls fun memories of his time with ex-internationals Pius Ikedia and Julius Aghahowa and how he learnt from them.

    “When I arrived in Benin City at that time, I was 17, you had Harrison Omuko, Chico, our captain, we had Augustine Eguavoen, who was my GM (general manager of Bendel Insurance),’ Odemwingie said.

    “We had a good coach, Solomon Ogbeide . So, there were a lot of people to learn from – there was Chukwudi Nworgu as well, he was playing for the under-17 national team at the time.’

    The former Premier League star, whose father was Insurance’s team doctor at the time, revealed how being around these esteemed figures daily fuelled his passion and drive to work hard and follow in their footsteps.

    Read Also: Ces’t  Fini-di :  NFF set to hire foreign  technical adviser for Super Eagles  

     “These were guys I was learning from. Things like this used to make me so excited about football,” he stated in a video on X. “So, when I saw those guys regularly, every day, those were things that provoked me to work hard. I saw international people in front of me daily.

    Peter also dispelled any doubts about his Nigerian football pedigree, recalling the gruelling journeys he made across the country to play in the NPFL.

     “I travelled by road to Maiduguri, to all these spots from the farthest point in the North to Port Harcourt and those games I played in the Nigerian league, I remember them well, scoring amazing goals against Sunshine Stars in Akure.”

    Odemwingie’s reflections paint an intriguing picture of his humble beginnings in the Nigerian game, and the influential figures who helped shape his successful career.

  • Ex-Eagles Odemwingie becomes golf professional

    Ex-Eagles Odemwingie becomes golf professional

    Nigerian football legend Peter Odemwingie has traded football for golf after joining the Professional Golfers Association (PGA).

    The 42-year-old turned out for the Super Eagles between 2002 and 2014 – earning 65 caps and finding the back of the net 11 times.

    Odemwingie retired from professional football in 2018 after a successful stint at Thailand’s Madura United – scoring 15 goals in 23 league matches.

    The former West Bromwich Albion and Lille OSC star explained that he fell in love with golf during the final days as a professional footballer.

    “I’m really proud of all of myself and my friends who are graduating today as well. It is a long journey. I fell in love with the game,” Odemwingie said.

    Read Also: Arsenal ditches Osimhen for Girona’s Dovbyk as NFF denies banning Napoli strike

     “I play lots of pro-ams as an amateur. I am coming from a football background. I had a decent-level career in a group sport. Now I am in a different sport, sometimes you can be lonely in golf — just you and your caddie, if you have one.

     “And seeing what the PGA professionals enjoy. I pass the playing ability test, I was accepted on the programme and I was excited that day as I am today.”

    He played for Nigeria at two FIFA World Cups and four Africa Cup of Nations, as well as winning silver at the 2008 Olympics.

  • Ex-Eagles forward, Odemwingie, graduates from golf school

    Ex-Eagles forward, Odemwingie, graduates from golf school

    A former Super Eagles attacker, Peter Odemwingie has joined the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA).

    PGA announced the admission of Odemwingie into its ranks in a video on Tuesday.

    The association is the body that organises tours for professional golfers around the globe.

    Speaking on his induction, the former Super Eagles attacker said he fell in love with golf during the latter days of his football career.

    He highlighted the difficulty of adapting to the “loneliness” of golf after his career in a “group sport”.

    “I’m really proud of all of myself and my friends who are graduating today as well. It is a long journey. I fell in love with the game,” Odemwingie said.

    “I play lots of pro-ams as an amateur. I am coming from a football background. I had a decent-level career in a group sport. Now I am in a different sport, sometimes you can be lonely in golf — just you and your caddie, if you have one.

    “And seeing what the PGA professionals enjoy. I pass the playing ability test, I was accepted on the programme and I was as excited that day as I am today.”

    Odemwingie, born in Uzbekistan to a Russian mother and a Nigerian father, made his Super Eagles debut in 2002. He made 63 appearances for the men’s national team.

    Read Also: Odemwingie blows the lid

    He featured for Nigeria in the 2014 World Cup, scoring against Bosnia Hezergovania in the group stage to secure the country’s promotion to the round of 16.

    Odemwingie began his football career at Bendel Insurance before moving to Europe with La Louvre FC, then Lille and Lokomotiv Moscow.

    He then joined West Brom, Cardiff City, and Stoke City in the English Premier League (EPL).

    Odemwingie retired from football in 2019.

    NEWSNOW

  • Aftermath of shock defeat: Odemwingie demands improved Eagles

    Former international Peter Odemwingie has urged the Super Eagles technical crew to stop the break dance and get extremely serious in their next match at the ongoing Nations cup in Egypt.

    The former Eagles striker who was apparently disappointed with the team’s performance against debutants Madagascar on Sunday night noted that Eagles play pattern appears to be drifting.

    As a panacea the former Stoke City ace opined that there is need to inject more skillful players into the team. He nonetheless wished the team luck as they await their next opponent in the round of 16.

    “Na wow oh. More skillful players next game pls. From a team that plays open football we became way too simple. Let’s get the balance right. Up eagles,” he said

    The former West Brom and Cardiff ace who announced his retirement from international football on the 3rd April 2019,joined Indonesian Liga 1 side Madura United in 2017 after leaving English League one side Rotherham United.

    Odemwingie who featured for the senior national team from 2002 to 2014 made over 63 appearances scoring 10 goals.

    The 37 year old, who graced three Nations cup 2004, 2006 and 2010 in the course of playing for the national team, was also part of the Silver winning 2008 Beijing Olympics team.

    One memorable outing for which he is often remembered for was the 2004 Nations cup hosted by Tunisia where he scored a brace in the 4-0 demolition of Bafana Bafana of South Africa in the group stage.  The Eagles went on to play in the third place match defeating Mali 2-1 in Monastir.

    Odemwingie who plied his trade in England, France Russia and Indonesia made 412 career appearances for the various clubs he has played for with 125 goals to his credit.

  • Fans lack of loyalty worries Odemwingie

    Fans lack of loyalty worries Odemwingie

     

     

    Former Super Eagles forward Peter Odemwingie came short of describing soccer fans as politicians on Wednesday, noting that they appear to have permanent interest and not permanent friends.  The Rotherham United forward observed in a chat with Premier League Daily that most fans don’t reckon with injured players or players being shipped out by their clubs for whatever reason but are only concerned with players that are playing on current form describing it as lack of loyalty to the players who prior to having some obstacles may have been doing everything possible to lift the club and put smiles on the faces of the fans.

    “Personally, I will always take the side of the player because you can’t go against the club, you are just an individual,” the 35-year-old said

    “You will get to a stage where if the club chooses to move you, sometimes a club gets a transfer list of players they don’t want, but fans don’t stick up for those players.

    “They are showing no loyalty to those players that maybe came back from injury and all they think is that they want to go for better players,” he regretted

    Odemwingie it will be recalled attempted to secure a Deadline Day switch from West Bromwich Albion to Queens Park Rangers in January 2013, which saw him drive to Loftus Road despite no fee being agreed between the clubs.

    He was subsequently disciplined by the Baggies for his actions, but did return to first-team action under then-manager Steve Clarke before sealing a move to Cardiff City In September 2013.

  • Odemwingie pays tribute to Stoke teammates

    Odemwingie pays tribute to Stoke teammates

    Peter Odemwingie was delighted that Stoke City will continue their run in the Capital One Cup after seeing off Premier League champions Chelsea in the fourth round .

    The 34 – year – old kept his cool to dispatch his penalty after a shootout was needed to decide the winner following Loic Remy’s stoppage-time equaliser.

    Stoke City’s Jack Butland saved the last kick taken by Eden Hazard and Odemwingie was full of praise for the goalkeeper after Tuesday night’s clash at the Britannia Stadium and the whole team.

    “Great effort from the team. JB is the man ! Very happy for all of us Potters,” Odemwingie posted on Twitter.

    The Nigeria international has made five appearances in the League Cup since he moved to England from Lokomotiv Moscow in the summer of 2010.

     

  • Stoke 2 – 2 Leicester Odemwingie in action for 8 mins

    Stoke 2 – 2 Leicester Odemwingie in action for 8 mins

    At the Britannia Stadium,Nigerian international striker, Peter Odemwingie came off the bench in the 82nd minute as Stoke City shared the spoils 2 – 2 with this season’s surprise package Leicester City.

    In another game,Everton were held to a goalless draw by Swansea City away from home. Three Lions midfielder Ross Barkley was substituted in the second minute of injury time. He has started all the games in the Premier League this term.

    Victor Anichebe was left out of West Brom’s squad for the visit to Gabriel Agbonlahor’s Aston Villa. The out – of – favour England international played all 90 minutes in his team’s 1 – 0 loss to The Baggies.

  • I am not 100% fit – Odemwingie

    I am not 100% fit – Odemwingie

    Super Eagles striker Peter Odemwingie has revealed that he is not 100% fit after coming back from a knee ligament injury which left him out of premier league action for eight months.

    The 33-year-old has so far featured in Stoke’s pre-season friendlies against Everton, Singapore and Brentford, Odemwingie but still doesn’t feel up to speed in terms of match sharpness.

    “I’m still a few months away from being 100%, but I am happy with where I am now,” he told Stoke City Player. “I do all the necessary work. Fitness now is what I want to achieve – there’s no shortcuts.

    I just have to make those efforts off the ball as well, which I try my best to do, which will bring me back to my best physical condition.”

    Odemwingie has scored scored six times in 23 appearances for the Potters since he joined from Cardiff City in January 2014.

  • Odemwingie not in hurry to extend contract

    Odemwingie not in hurry to extend contract

    Stoke City forward Peter Odemwingie is not in a rush to agree a contract extension at the Britannia Stadium, as he remains keen to get back to full fitness.

    The Nigeria international is recovering from a serious knee injury sustained during a 1–0 win against Manchester City on 30th August 2014, ruling him out for most of the 2014–15 seasons.

      Odemwingie, 33, who once had a stint at Bendel Insurance stated that he is in no rush to extend his current deal at the club.

      “I have not had discussions about extending my contract yet there is no rush for that,” he told the Stoke Sentinel.

      “At the moment we are in the transfer window and there are players who are key to the team right now that have more pressing issues.

      “I saw Peter Crouch saying he would like to stay not just for one year with Stoke, but maybe more and I am the same. It’s a really good place to be, it is a great club.”

      SL10 confirms Odemwingie is yet to score in two English Premier League appearances this season and believes he still has plenty to offer Mark Hughes.

      “You have to be realistic but if I can get back training and show the manager I can still put the ball in the net then everything else will take care of itself.

      “You can lose form but you don’t lose your quality.”

  • Odemwingie targets return in 2015

    Odemwingie targets return in 2015

    Stoke City forward, Peter Odemwingie, is targeting a return to action before the current season ends.

    Ozaze has been out of action since August after suffering cruciate knee damage but the Super Eagles forward says he is edging close to a return.

    “I am getting closer and closer to returning and that is all I’m thinking about now,” Odemwingie told the club’s official website.

    “I’ve been inside doing a lot of rehab, watching the lads training through the windows, and that has helped because before that I was spending more time away and so wasn’t part of the group.

    “Just being there with them has given me even more drive to keep working hard and make sure I come back from this injury stronger.

    “Sometimes I just stop what I am doing and look at what they are doing and think that will soon be me again.

    “Mentally, it does help. In the first few weeks after the operation I felt a world away from being out there with them, kicking the ball and running around the pitch, but now it doesn’t seem too far away.

    “Of course there are plenty of difficult weeks ahead, but I am in a good frame of mind and ready to come through these coming weeks and months.

    “I am often speaking to players who have had the same injury and have returned to play at the highest level. That encourages me.

    “I am hoping I can come back in 2015 and catch the end of the season. That is my goal.”