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Tag: Osaze

  • Showdown talks: West Brom offer Osaze for sale

    Showdown talks: West Brom offer Osaze for sale

    -Nigerian upset over taunts from West Brom fans
    -Chiles apologises for calling Osaze a ‘t**t’
    -Odemwingie not interested in QPR move

    West Bromwich  Albion have agreed to offload former Nigeria international, Osaze Peter Odemwingie.

    The Birmingham Mail says Odemwingie’s future with Albion was decided during talks between the club and the PFA last week – with the striker set for a summer exit, irrespective of Saturday’s flare-up with Baggies supporters.

    Odemwingie’s future was pretty much resolved during last Thursday’s meeting involving himself, the PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor, Albion’s sporting and technical director Richard Garlick and the club’s chief executive Mark Jenkins.

    The 31-year-old made it clear during those talks that he wants to leave this summer.

    Albion will not stand in his way, provided a suitable agreement can be reached with another club as the Nigeria international will still have 12 months left to run on his current deal.

    The former Super Eagles ace, is unhappy with the way he’s being treated by West Bromwich Albion fans.

    The Nigerian was involved in an altercation with a fan during West Brom’s 3-2 defeat to Wigan at The Hawthorns on Saturday. Odemwingie was berated by a fan while he spoke to his wife, Sarah, who was with their four-month-old son sat in the West Stand.

    As he warmed up on the touchline he was also booed and there were clearly audible chants branding him a ‘w*****’ from a large section of supporters, says the Daily Mail.

    It is understood the striker can understand the boos given his obvious desire to leave the club, but finds the name-calling unacceptable, especially with his family present. Clarke admitted after the game the crowd reaction prompted him to leave Odemwingie on the bench.

    Menahwile,ITV presenter Adrian Chiles has apologised to Odemwingie for his blast last week.

    Chiles has rung Peter Odemwingie to apologise for calling him a ‘t**t’ at West Bromwich’s awards evening – but his future at the club is becoming increasingly precarious.

    Last week West Brom boss Steve Clarke blasted the TV presenter, a life-long club fan, who joked that the ‘tweet of the year’ award for the striker should be renamed ‘t**t of the year.’

    Chiles took steps to repair the damage by ringing Odemwingie last Friday – five days after the awards dinner – but the Nigerian is understood to be unhappy with how long it took to make the apology and has reiterated to West Brom his desire to leave, says the Dailymail.

    However, the West Bromwich Albion striker is reluctant to revive a move to QPR.

    The Daily Mail says QPR boss Harry Redknapp tried to Odemwingie in January but had a £2m offer rejected.

    He has since publicly stated his desire to buy the player, but with the club relegated to the Championship it is less likely Odemwingie would be keen on a move.

     

  • Fans boo Osaze at WBA awards

    Fans boo Osaze at WBA awards

    Osaze Odemwingie was booed by fans during West Bromwich Albion’s annual awards night at Birmingham’s International Convention Centre on Sunday, despite the fact that he was absent at the awards.

    The fans, who showed their displeasure at every opportunity, seemed to have not forgiven him for the many rants he posted on social network site, Twitter.

    The images of the Nigerian star playing were jeered, as the host for the night, TV presenter Adrian Giles aimed some choice derogatory words in his direction.

    Odemwingie had agreed to stay away to avoid potential clashes with disgruntled fans in the audience, who might be looking to have a go at him..

     

  • Why Osaze missed Arsenal’s game – Clarke

    Why Osaze missed Arsenal’s game – Clarke

    STEVE Clarke has explained why he opted to start Shane Long ahead of 13-goal top scorer Romelu Lukaku in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat by Arsenal.

    The Baggies boss also revealed Peter Osaze Odemwingie missed the Hawthorns clash after suffering a training-ground injury.

    Long and Lukaku lined-up alongside each other in last weekend’s 3-1 reverse at West Ham.

    But Clarke opted for the former to play the lone striker role against the fourth-placed Gunners, while the latter dropped to the bench before coming on with Markus Rosenberg as a 62nd-minute double change for Graham Dorrans and Jerome Thomas.

    And Ireland international Long proved too much to handle for Per Mertesacker, who was sent-off after bringing him down for the 71st-minute penalty that James Morrison converted to give the hosts the chance to push for a late equaliser after going 2-0 down.

    “It was tactical,” said Clarke.

    “Every team we’ve put out against the top teams this season we’ve always started with one up front. My call was whether to start with Shane or Romelu.

    “It was Shane because I felt his particular style could cause their two centre-halves a problem.

    “By and large it worked out that way.

    “When Romelu and Markus Rosenberg came on we were chasing the game and there was a momentum to the team at that stage. They both made a good impact, which is pleasing.

    “Peter picked up a little niggle through the week so we decided not to involve him in the squad.”

  • Osaze sets for Eagles return

    Osaze sets for Eagles return

    …  Nsofor, Kalu Uche too

    West Bromwich Albion striker, Osaze Odemwingie, is set for a sensational Super Eagles return only weeks after it seemed he will never play for Nigeria again.

    MTNFootbal.com gathered that Osaze, who has been at the wars with his English Premier League club, will be handed a lifeline by the Super Eagles handlers after a recent tirade by the player against Stephen Keshi and the team.

    “Osaze will return to the Eagles,” a top official specially disclosed to MTNFootball.com.

    “Besides the fact that he deserves to be in the team, it would also be a big boost for Osaze after his troubles with WBA.”

    The outspoken Osaze resorted to social network platform Twitter to vent his frustrations after he was sensationally axed from the Eagles squad to last month’s Africa Cup of Nations.

    The striker accused Keshi of not being professional in the manner he was dropped from the national team, while he also took a dig at skipper Joseph Yobo, saying the Super Eagles had lacked a true leader.

    He also suggested he was through with the national team.

    Keshi has since said Osaze was dropped because of “character problems” which would have disrupted team spirit at the AFCON.

    ‘Big Boss’ has already sent out words of encouragement to Osaze following his travails at the EPL side.

    The former Lille and Lokomotiv Moscow star last featured for Nigeria in a 2013 Nations Cup qualifier in Rwanda in February 2012.

    Other top stars lined up for a return to the team are Obinna Nsofor and Kalu Uche.

    Uche, for one, has been on fire in Turkey with his Istanbul outfit Kasimpasa, where he has so far netted 15 goals in the league.

    He last played for Nigeria in a November 2011 friendly against Zambia in Kaduna, where he scored the opening goal and his younger brother Ikechukwu was also on target in a 2-0 win in Keshi’s second game in charge of the team.

     

  • Why I rant on twitter-Osaze

    Why I rant on twitter-Osaze

     FORMER Super Eagles  ace, Osaze Odemwingie has given reasons why he always rants on social networking site, Twitter.

    Osaze returned to training at West Brom last week Wednesday despite hinting that he could attempt to buy out the remainder of his contract at the Hawthorns.

    SportingLife gathered from his latest tweets on Saturday that his lack of playing time is a reason for his outburst.

    According to his tweet on March 22, the Nigerian informed that: Peter Odemwingie?@OdemwingieP22 Mar

    “This account is more like a mini blog. Mini website. When I was busy playing u didn’t hear much from me. Now I play less and talk more haha.”

    The 31-year-old, who joined West Brom in 2010 from Locomotive Moscow, was the club’s top scorer for the past two seasons with 15 goals each.

  • OSAZE TO WEST BROM Sack me now

    OSAZE TO WEST BROM Sack me now

    • Nigerian hints at buying out contract
    • Baggies won’t let him go
    • To get N18m fine

     

    Controversial and out-of-favour Super Eagles striker Peter Odemwingie has hinted that he may buy himself out of his West Brom contract in another Twitter outburst on Tuesday.

    The 31-year-old Baggies striker has 15 months remaining of his current four-year deal at The Hawthorns.

    But, under article 17 of FIFA’s transfer regulations, players over the age of 28 can end their contracts two years after signing for a club by paying a compensation figure determined by their wages and transfer fee.

    Odemwingie tweeted: “I see a free player. A player who buys out his contract soon. Or a retired player. Does he look like he cares much? They made him not to.”

    Albion have already confirmed the Nigeria international will be dealt with internally after his Twitter attacks on the club on Sunday.

    Odemwingie hit out at being only a substitute in recent games and for the club allegedly questioning his commitment.

    Sources close to the Barclays Premier League outfit have indicated Albion will not sack Odemwingie, Press Association Sport understands.

    Odemwingie will face another £76,000 fine after being hit in the pocket during January for a series of social networking outbursts.

    But Albion will not ban the former Lokomotiv Moscow and Lille forward from using Twitter although any activity by players is governed by the club’s disciplinary code of conduct.

    Should the former Lokomotiv Moscow ace succeed in buying his way, he would be following in the steps of compatriot Obafemi Martins, who only recently paid off his contract with Spanish side Levente to join American Major League Side Seatle. Obagoal, who returns to national duty for Nigeria on Saturday against Harambee Stars of Kenya, made his debut for the Amerian side before hitting Eagles’ camp for the Calabar showdown.

     

  • Osaze, mates bank on Chelsea’s woes

    Osaze, mates bank on Chelsea’s woes

    Peter Osaze Odemwingie and his West Bromwich Albion team mates will hope to cash in on Chelsea’s instability and cause an upset when they take on the Blues at Stamford Bridge today.

    WBA head coach Steve Clarke in an interview on the club’s official website urged his players to ignore the troubles surrounding Chelsea and Rafa Benitez and instead focus on making the best out of the situation.

    The Blues have endured a controversial week, with interim boss Rafa Benitez hitting out at the club’s board and supporters still opposed to his appointment following the FA Cup win over Middlesbrough on Tuesday.

    Clarke noted that the Baggies will not get caught up in the crisis surrounding the west London club when they travel to Stamford Bridge this afternoon.

    “We will go there looking to add to our points tally. Everybody keeps telling me that Chelsea are struggling but they’re doing okay.

    “It’s going to be a different game at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Chelsea are a team full of talent and their home record by and large is very, very good.

    “So it’s a difficult place to go but we’re confident, we’re in a good place and we’ve managed back-to-back wins in the Premier League which is never easy,” Clarke said on wba.co.uk.

    Osaze and his team-mates will go into the encounter in search of their first-ever Barclays Premier League away point against Chelsea who have won seven drawn four and lost two on their own patch this term.

    The seventh-placed Baggies head for West London on the back of successive wins over Liverpool and Sunderland and will hope for a similar feat against Chelsea having beaten the Blues 2-1 in November thanks to goals from Shane Long and Odemwingie.

  • Osaze snubs Eagles comeback

    Osaze snubs Eagles comeback

    Nigeria striker, Peter Osaze Odemwingie is not interested in returning to the Super Eagles ‘unless things get straightforward’ in the national team set up.

    The forward was controversially left out of the Nigeria squad that went on to win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations title in South Africa and could yet remain in limbo if his latest declarations are anything to go by.

    “I am not seeking a come back as I have showed you last year. I am not so interested now. If things get straightforward maybe one day,” Odemwingie revealed.

    The forward then took the time to respond those who have questioned his temperament and attitude in recent days, stating that he was more interested in fielding questions about issues relatined to his taste buds.

    “So, I am happy to please those tired of my wahala that there will be no more wahala. I will answer no further questions about our football.

    “I am open to talk about Egusi soup, pounded yam, rice and plantain. ‘Calabar Festival,’ ‘Naija Got Talent’ and the rest,” he joked.

    Head coach of the Nigeria national team, Stephen Keshi has announced that he will unveil his list of players to face Kenya in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier on March 9 and it is looking increasingly unlikely that Odemwingie will earn a recall.

    The West Bromwich Albion attacker has played 55 matches netting 9 times for the Super Eagles.

  • West Brom need ‘world-beater’ Osaze back, insists Foster

    West Brom need ‘world-beater’ Osaze back, insists Foster

    The Nigeria international failed in his attempts to force through a deadline day move to QPR, but the Baggies’ goalkeeper Ben Foster and Gareth McAuley insist they will welcome him back.

    The Nigeria international showed up at Loftus Road unannounced, despite no deal being agreed between the sides, and last week found himself banished from training by Steve Clarke as a result.

    But with Odemwingie closing in on a return to action, Foster has revealed he is delighted to have the attacker back and hopes he can contribute to the side between now and the end of the season.

    He told the club’s official website: “The lads realise that if Pete is on the pitch, playing well and scoring goals, everyone benefits from it. That’s how we’re looking at it. Everything is fine. The line has been drawn and now we’re back talking about football.

    “Peter is an important part of our team. When he’s on form he’s an absolute world-beater, so we will welcome him back into the squad with no qualms whatsoever. And I’m sure he will join in and give 110 per cent like he always does. What happened was really unfortunate.

    “I don’t think anybody expected to see what they saw but we’ve moved on from it now and I don’t think anybody even talks about it. Peter is back in training, doing what he always does, and hopefully he will start to get more involved and things will be back to normal.”

    McAuley echoed Foster’s words and believes the Baggies need Odemwwingie back as they look to reignite their charge at the top six. “Once you get on the pitch you forget about other things,” he added.

    “But it’s been well-documented and it was just important that we got back on the pitch and people started talking about things other than what was happening off the pitch.

    “We need Pete. We need him back on the pitch, playing and scoring goals for us. He’s had a few days off while things were going on so he only trained really for one day last week and he needs to get training again.

    “He will get training again now and hopefully soon he’ll be involved in the games and scoring goals for us again.”

  • BOTCHED ATTEMPT How Osaze sent ex-international to beg Keshi

    BOTCHED ATTEMPT How Osaze sent ex-international to beg Keshi

    THE LAST may not have been heard about the different attempts made by Super Eagles outcast, Osaze Odemwingie’s to make the final cut for the Africa Cup of Nations which gets underway this Saturday in South Africa.

    SportingLife has gathered that an ex-international (names withheld) was among the emissaries used by the England based forward to beg Chief Coach, Stephen Keshi for a recall to the national team.

    A competent source informed that the ex-international was keshi’s classmate at St. Finbarrs College, Lagos and also a one-time Football Association chairman from the South West.

    He flew to Abuja the day before the list of 35 players was made public to parley with Keshi to forgive Osaze. Unfortunately for him, his request was turned down by the Eagles boss who made him understand that his decisions were based on facts and not on sentiments.

    “He was extremely surprised that Keshi would turn him down as he expected that as classmates and playmates he would listen to him,” the source said.

    Osaze who has since apologized for his outburst for his exclusion has only played just once under Keshi.