How speedster Ikedia, Aghahowa inspired me to play for Nigeria - Ex Super Eagles winger Osaze Odemwingie

Izuchukwu Akawor 09:00 - 08 July 2024

Osaze Odemwingie speaks on Pius Ikedia and Julius Aghahowa's influence in Nigeria.

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.

Former Super Eagles star Osaze Odemwingie has taken a trip down memory lane, revealing how ex-internationals Pius Ikedia and Julius Aghahowa paved the way for him to learn from during his early days.

Odemwingie, who was born in Uzbekistan to a Russian mother and Nigerian father, moved to Benin City in Nigeria as a two-year-old.

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Odemwingie recalls moments with Super Eagles icons

The former Premier League striker with West Brom returned to Russia to complete his secondary education, before joining the academy of CSKA Moscow.

However, Odemwingie would later find himself back in Nigeria and Benin City, where his father was the doctor at Bendel Insurance in the NPFL.

Osaze Odemwingie former Super Eagles player || X

Speaking in a video shared by BBC's Oluwashina Okeleji on the social media platform X.com, formerly Twitter, Odemwingie highlighted how he learned from speedster Ikedia and Nigeria's World Cup hero Aghahowa.

When I arrived in Benin City at that time, I was 17, I saw Pius Ikedia and Julius Aghahowa every day in training - they were fantastic players,' Odemwingie said.

Julius Aghahowa celebrates against Sweden in 2002. (Photo Credit: Imago)

These were guys I was learning from. We all remember how great Ikedia was as a player. So, how he takes people on, Julius himself was a clinical striker, very motivated.

I had a first-hand experience to see their first steps in football at Ogbe Stadium in the Nigerian league. So, that is why I said you know if these guys started here, became international and went on to Europe to have careers, I followed that path and always advise people not to expect things to fall on your table.'

Former Super Eagles star Pius Ikedia in action for Nigeria. (Photo Credit: Imago)

While Ikedia is known for shutting down the wings with his pace and dribbling, Aghahowa is fondly remembered for his wonderful backflips and most especially, for that goal against Sweden at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea and Japan.