By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS
Former Super Eagles forward, Peter Odemwingie has revealed the reason behind his decision to become a successful footballer.
Odemwingie, who started his career with local club Bendel Insurance was a surprise inclusion in Nigeria’s 2022 FIFA World Cup to Korea and Japan.
The 43-year-old went on to represent Nigeria at two more World Cups as well as three Africa Cup of Nations finals.
“I arrived at Benin City at the age of 17. I saw Pius Ikedia and Julius Aghahowa in training. They were fantastic players, and I learned from them. We had Augustine Eguavoen, who was our General manager at the time, so there were a lot of people to learn from,” Odemwingie told OldNaijafootball.
“Chukwudi Nwogu played for the U-17 National team at the time, so things like this got me excited about football, and I saw these guys every day. Karimu Shuaibu played for the Eaglets at the World Cup and returned with the kit. Those were things that provoked me to work hard, so I saw international people in front of me on a daily basis.
“I had the first-hand experience of watching these people play at the Ogbe Stadium in the Nigerian league, so that’s why I said if these guys started here and became international and went on to Europe to have careers, I can too.
“So, I followed that path, and I always advise people not to expect things to fall on their table. Some people don’t believe I played in the NPFL. I travelled by road to Maiduguri and to all these spots, from the furthest points in the North to Port Harcourt. READ ALSO:
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“I scored against Sunshine Stars in Akure and Pepsi Academy in Kaduna. I’ve done it all. So, I know all the corners of the elite and the ghettos of football in Nigeria. I played in the Nations Cup in Ajegunle, too.”
