Tag: Peter Odemwingie

  • Craziest transfer deadline dramas: Odemwingie 2013 re-echoes

     

    With less than 24 hours to the close of transfer window in England, analysts and stakeholders have intensified permutations, while some have gone memory lane to compare and contrast.

    Interestingly former Super Eagles striker Peter Odemwingie’s ill-fated transfer to Queens Park Rangers from West Brom in 2013 topped what has been dubbed craziest deadline day dramas. The Nigerian international who quit the game early this year after last featuring for Indonesian side Madura United, had gotten fed up with delays over his much talked about January 31 2013 exit from West Brom, said his good byes and drove straight to QPR but was dramatically stopped from entering the club as both teams could not reach agreement before the curtain was drawn.

    In what has now become an infamous scene whenever transfers are talked about, the former Lokomotiv Moscow ace was forced to sit outside Loftus Road in the car park because he was refused permission to enter until a deal was done.

    With the whole football world watching, the deal fell apart and images of Odemwingie sitting out in the dark and cold was beamed around the world.

    Odemwingie was fined £75,000 for arriving at Loftus Road without permission and remained at the Hawthorns.

    That was however not the end of the story as the former Stoke City ace had to stomach a little bit of mockery.

    David de Gea’s collapsed swap deal on deadline day in August 2015 also featured prominently.  Keen on a move to Real Madrid, it seemed as though the Spanish stopper had finally got what he wanted as the day went on.

    Keylor Navas was on the way to Old Trafford as part of a £29m deal but Real failed to register De Gea in time for the deadline.

    Madrid issued a 10-point statement alleging that United instigated negotiations to end the long-running transfer saga and were at fault for holding up the deal.

    United hit back with an official statement of their own, insisting that Madrid made the first move with an opening offer believed to be in the region of £11m plus Navas, and were to blame for registering De Gea too late.

  • Odemwingie makes FIFA Legends list for Women’s World Cup campaign

    Former Super Eagles striker, Peter Odemwingie has made a 23-strong FIFA Legends squad for a campaign that will see these illustrious footballing personalities harness their sporting superpowers and turn into superheroes on a mission to promote the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 and the women’s game in general.

    Odemwingie is one of the 10 male legends listed among the biggest stars in football and this include Alex Scott (England), Marcel Desailly (France), Nadine Kessler (Germany), Michael Essien (Ghana), Laura Georges (France) and Gilberto Silva(Brazil).

    With just four months to go before FIFA’s flagship women’s football tournament kicks off, 23 current and former players, representing 19 of the tournament’s qualified nations, are coming together in a one-of-a-kind promotional initiative to support the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 and drive match attendances, increase TV viewership, generate engagement and inspire a new generation to play women’s football.

    Made up of 13 women and ten men, the squad members were selected for their superhuman qualities and unshakeable commitment on and off the pitch. Each has had to overcome obstacles in the face of adversity and as part of the campaign and the wider FIFA #DareToShine movement, will be encouraging women and girls to push boundaries to succeed in all areas of life.

    Speaking about the #LegendsAssemble project, Michael Essien said: “Watch out –  as The Bison I am indestructible! I will use this power to change the way people see women’s football and get everyone to rally behind the biggest sporting competition this summer – the FIFA Women’s World Cup!”

    As part of the #LegendsAssemble campaign, the FIFA Legends have committed to raising the profile of women’s football both on- and offline. Fans will be able to meet their superheroes ahead of the tournament kick-off, when individual squad members will take part in almost 100 events across the world that will include trophy tours, Host City activations and media appearances, in addition to attending matches during the tournament.

    Speaking about the #LegendsAssemble launch, FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura said: “The eighth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup will be very special and it takes place at a time when women around the globe are uniting to make their voices heard. The tournament’s official slogan “Dare to Shine” echoes the current world movement towards female empowerment and I am looking forward to seeing teams of strong and passionate women, from 24 different countries, illuminate football stadiums in France with their skill. Our superheroes will help us to reach a global audience of one billion and make the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 our biggest and best yet – for players, for fans, for local communities and for the empowerment of girls and women.”

     

  • Odemwingie celebrates ‘popito’re-union

    Odemwingie celebrates ‘popito’re-union

     

    Nigeria international Peter Odemwingie hit cloud 9 with a bang after a surprise re-union with former teammate and Ivorian international Abdul Kader Keïta popularly called ‘popito’

    Highly elated Odemwingie who currently plies his trade with Indonesian liga 1 side Madura United posted a photo to celebrate their re-union on social media adding “A catch up with this legend. There is only one popito!”  That was not all however as he recalled apparently with nostalgia that both of them were once perfect team for French Ligue one side Lille adding “ones an unstoppable duo”

    Odemwingie played for Lille from 2004-2007 while Popito played for the same club from 2005 to 2007.  Both however appear to have parted ways in 2007 when Popito joined French side Lyon while the Nigeria international headed for Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow.

    There is no doubt that both players made impressive contributions while they were with Lille and enjoyed ample playing time.  While Odemwingie made 75 appearances for the side scoring 23 goals, Popito made 73 appearances scoring 17 goals

    At the national team levels while Odemwingie made 63 appearances for the Super Eagles scoring 10 goals, while his Ivorian friend made 72 appearances for the Elephants of Cote d Ivoire with 11 goals to his credit.

    Odemwingie who joined Indonesia Madura United on 3rd April 2017 is in the list of top scorers of the league with 15 goals to his credit even as the team finished 5th on the 18-team log with 60 points in 34 matches.  The former Stoke and Cardiff City ace 15 goals of the season put him in the 7th position on the top scorers list. Dutch import Sylvano Comvalius who plays for Bali United however tops the chart with 37 goals.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Rotherham United signs Odemwingie

    Rotherham United signs Odemwingie

    Rotherham United has confirmed the signing of unattached former West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City striker, Peter Odemwingie on a short-term deal until January 2017.

    The English Championship side confirmed the signing on its official website.

    The 35-year-old is Miller’s boss, Kenny Jackett, first signing since taking over the Championship’s bottom club on  October, replacing Alan Stubbs.

    Odemwingie has also played for Russian side, Lokomotiv Moscow, French club Lille and on loan at Bristol City last season.

    League One Bolton Wanderers revealed he was training with them on Friday.

    But the Bolton News reported that an injury to Wanderers midfielder, Tom Thorpe could force the club to seek to sign a midfielder instead of a forward.

    Nigeria international Odemwingie, who has also played for Cardiff, last played a competitive match on April 19.

  • Yobo, Osaze will shine for Eagles-Ka’Oje

    Yobo, Osaze will shine for Eagles-Ka’Oje

    • Says Stoke forward will score against Scotland

    Former Sports Minister, Bala Bawa Ka’Oje has tipped Super Eagles returnees,  and Osaze Peter Odemwingie, to be the jokers in the pack in the Nigerian team and predicted that the striker will score against Scotland in a friendly match slated for Craven Cottage in London tomorrow.

    “I will predict something that is likely to happen on Wednesday in Eagles friendly against Scotland, the Captain of the team Joseph Yobo will play the match of their lives against Scotland as well as the other two friendly matches against Greece and USA.

    “These guys didn’t expect their return to the team and now that they have found their way in there they will definitely put everything they have into the games the Coach will feature them in so as to prove their worth to be in the final squad for the World Cup.

    “You can quote me; Osaze will score against Scotland and Yobo will be the best defender on parade in the match in London if Keshi includes them in the team that will play against Scotland on Wednesday. The two players are very experienced and have been in the World Cup before so they know what it takes to play at that stage and their inclusion in the final team will do a lot of good to the younger but hungry players who are also eager to impress at the world stage.

    “Yobo as the Skipper and the leader of the team will be able to guide the other players well while Osaze will also had bite and experience to the forward line of the Super Eagles. I also see Osaze scoring couple of goals in the three friendly matches if he is included in the team,” Ka’Oje told SportingLife in Abuja.

    The former Minister also hailed the Nigeria Football Federation for organising the friendly matches which he said will help Keshi a great deal to put his team to the required level for the World Cup.

    “In as much as I am confident of a 2-0 victory against Scotland, the essence of the friendly matches is not to win all of them but to put the players in good shape for the World Cup. But I see the Eagles coming top in all the friendly matches. Victories in these matches will be a morale booster for the World Cup,” the ex-Sport Minister added.

     

  • Why I joined Stoke

    Why I joined Stoke

    Nigerian striker, Peter Odemwingie has revealed that current Cardiff City boss, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer influenced his decision to leave the club and join Stoke City in January.

    Odemwingie scored once in 15 league games for the Bluebirds; a side he joined on September 1, 2013.

    He has since moved to the Britannia Stadium where he has netted five times in 12 league appearances for the Potters.

    The 32-year-old has now revealed that he would have still been playing his football at Cardiff but for a conversation he had with Solskjaer who replaced the man that brought Odemwingie to the club, Malky Mackay.

    “I have no hard feelings. When I went everyone seemed happy. The decision for me to go was more from the Cardiff manager when he came to the club. We had a little chat and he said he was not so pleased with the defensive part of my game,” Odemwingie told www.walesonline.co.uk.

    Odemwingie noted that defending was not the strongest part of his attribute of his game but stated that he was never found wanting for lack of effort.

    “I had been trying my best, although that is not the best side of my game. I’m not a strong player, but I do my best and you get the best out of me in the final third. That’s where I get my goals. He also said he needed a targetman and he had wingers he said he felt were stronger than me at the time.

    “I was happy to accept the situation that he was not too pleased. Two goals in four months at Cardiff was not where I wanted to be. I just needed the change, so everyone was happy,” he said.

    The former Lokomotiv Moscow man further revealed that no one at Cardiff tried to block his move to Stoke.

    “Cardiff were happy for me to leave. They were glad to be getting Kenwyne Jones, so it was easy to talk. It did not take much time. It was not really a surprise to move to Stoke because last summer a few clubs were interested in me, including Stoke,” he said.

    “I’m in the last few years of my career now. If I don’t play enough or perform well enough for the team I will say OK anywhere to a move just for the change. I’ve always been like that. Even if it’s a less strong team, as long as I’m playing that’s all I want,” he said.

  • Osaze receives Hughes’ praise

    Osaze receives Hughes’ praise

    • To start against Swansea

    Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has offered effusive words of praise for his Nigerian striker, Peter Odemwingie.

    Odemwingie moved to Stoke City from Cardiff City in a swap deal that enabled Kenwyne Jones to move in the opposite direction in January.

    The 32-year-old has played all three league games for Stoke since his arrival on January 27.

    He scored last Saturday in the 2-2 draw against Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium to underline his intent in the second half of the 2013/14 season.

    Hughes has now spoken of his respect for the accomplishments of his Nigerian charge who now has 270 minutes of league action under his belt.

    “We’ve been delighted with Peter Odemwingie. He has certainly added something extra to the group with his pace and quality.

    “He is a player we are delighted to have here,” Hughes stated in his press conference on Tuesday.

    Stoke will face Swansea City on Wednesday at the Britannia Stadium on match day 26 of the Barclays English Premier League.

    Odemwingie is expected to start yet again for the Potters and he will be looking to continue his positive start to life at the Staffordshire club.

  • Cardiff shop for Osaze’s replacement

    Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay has disclosed his readiness to hit the transfer market in January for striking talent in a bid to provide stiff competitions for the existing strikers like Nigeria’s Peter Odemwingie who is is yet to impress the Blue Birds boss.

    Mackay is aware of the need to address the lack of cutting edge in the final third, but concedes that finding a proven marksman in the New Year will be difficult and costly.

    Cardiff have scored just 11 goals in the league this season, with only Saturday’s opponents Palace scoring less so far, and Mackay admitted a striker may be the priority in January.

    “We are constantly looking at our striking area. But at this level, clinical centre-forwards who are proven cost £20m to £25m, and even at that level people still query them.

    “At this level, that is not an easy position to fill. Stepping into the Premier League is not easy. To put in a player who is going to get you 20 goals in the Premier League, teams are looking all over the world for that. The search is always on to find players who can score goals,” Mackay said on Sky Sports.

    Mackay parted with £7.5million over the summer to acquire highly-rated Danish frontman Andreas Cornelius, but is wary of placing too much expectation on a 20-year-old who has struggled with niggling knocks.

    Cardiff will be hopeful of picking up points before the turn of the year with three of their next four fixtures coming at the Cardiff City Stadium, with West Brom, Southampton and Sunderland all visiting south Wales.

     

  • Marshall tasks Odemwingie, others

    Marshall tasks Odemwingie, others

    Peter Odemwingie’s teammate at Cardiff City David Marshall has demanded that his side begin to ring in positive results against neighbouring teams in the English top division.

    Marshall and his team-mates visit Norwich City at Carrow Road on Saturday in a EPL week 9 fixture, hoping to put behind them the disappointing 4-1 loss at Stamford Bridge last weekend.

    The shot-stopper who joined the Welsh side from Norwich in 2009 is looking forward to returning to the club he spent two seasons at.

    “It’s a significant match for me against a club I played for. But it’s huge for us as a whole. It’s important we do well against teams around us,” Marshall is quoted as saying on WalesOnline.

    Malky Mackay’s team have made a mixed start to life in the Premier League, with their win over Manchester City followed by just one more.

    Norwich are just a point behind them in 18th and Marshall knows matches against fellow strugglers will be vital in Cardiff’s survival bid this season.

  • Clarke dismisses Osaze fears

    Clarke dismisses Osaze fears

    OSAZE

    West Brom boss Steve Clarke says he has no concerns about Peter Odemwingie’s focus following his red card at Fulham on Saturday.

    The Nigerian was given a straight red card for kicking out at Sascha Riether during the 3-0 defeat at Craven Cottage as the red mist seemingly descended on the striker.

    Having worked his way back into the starting XI after a fantastic display from the bench against Everton, Odemwingie will now sit out the next three matches for the Baggies.

    Having been linked with moves away from the Hawthorns during the summer, some have questioned whether the 31-year-old is totally focused on playing for Albion.

    However, Clarke has defended his star forward, insisting: “I think Peter is right and he is focused.

    “His reaction [for the sending off] was out-of-character. But we’re all humans and we all have these emotions.

    “He felt aggrieved he didn’t get a decision against him, the red mist came down and he lashed out.

    “He got the red card, but he’s not the first footballer to do that and he won’t be the last.”