“Soul level” – Osaze Odemwingie reveals why he picked Super Eagles over Russia

Former Super Eagles and LOSC Lille striker Osaze Odemwingie has revealed why he chose to play for Nigeria, despite holding a Russian passport, Afrik Foot reports.

The 44-year-old was born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan (then part of the Soviet Union), to a Nigerian father and a Russian mother.

Odemwingie did play for the Russian team at the U-17 and U-18 levels before choosing to represent Nigeria at the U-20 level and then the senior team.

Why Osaze Odemwingie chose to represent the Super Eagles

Although he was born in Russia, Odemwingie spent a chunk of his time growing up in Nigeria

“I have watched interviews of players who said, ‘I was born here, raised here, I feel British.’ As for me, I had age one to seven in Nigeria, so I went to primary school in Nigeria,” the former West Bromwich Albion forward said in an interview with Brila.

“I went to my village with my dad and met my granddad; I had some connections with Nigeria from early childhood then we went to Russia and returned at 17 played five years in Nigeria before I went to Europe to play football.

“Parents do have a role to play but I am not going to say I don’t know how it is for them but for me I had a strong connection with Nigeria.”

The former Bendel Insurance man revealed that his parents played a huge role in grounding him in Nigerian culture.

“My dad made me excited about the Super Eagles. ‘Up Eagles Super Eagles’ the voice raises that big figure saying it in front of me; I am a kid anytime he says it with his big smile.

“I used to be happy so these are the things that made me have a connection with Nigeria that made me feel I want to be there.

He also highlighted the influence of his mother, in nurturing that connection despite her non Nigerian background.

“My mum also played a major role because despite being Russian she loved Nigeria,” Osaze continued.

Odemwingie played 64 games for the Super Eagles of Nigeria, scoring eleven goals.