NPFL contributed heavily to my growth — Odemwingie

Ex-Super Eagles forward Peter Odemwingie has attributed his career success to the exposure he gained from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) during his formative years.

Despite representing Russia in the youth categories, Odemwingie, born in Uzbekistan to a Russian mother and Nigerian father, switched his allegiance to Nigeria where he registered 10 goals and two assists in 63 appearances for the Super Eagles.

At club level, he played in Nigeria, England, Russia, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France where he represented the likes of Lille, Lokomotiv Moscow, West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City. Despite what appears to be an all-glittering career, Odemwingie revealed that his career was far from smooth, but his early days with NPFL clubs such as AS Racines Lagos and Bendel Insurance, prepared him.

“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 Old Naija Football.

“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 daily.’’

The 42-year-old highlighted his first-hand experience at the Ogbe Stadium (now known as Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium) in Benin as one of the pivotal moments in his career.


“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,’’ he said.

“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. 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 (FA Cup) in Ajegunle too.”

Though he initially planned to pursue coaching following his retirement from football in April 2019, Odemwingie has successfully transitioned to a career in golf, graduating from the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) academy in June 2024.