The joy of every father is to see his children become successful in life, and the father of West Ham new man, Peter Osaze Odemwingie, is excited that his son has reached the level, which critics never thought he could attain in football.
The Nigerian forward has a good family background he is the son of two medical doctors and may have taken a career in the medical profession also.
Many people lambasted Dr and Dr (Mrs) Peter Odemwingie when their son suddenly ventured into football as a career, but today, the couple is happy to have Osaze in their family as a footballer.
Osaze couldn't have been where he is today if his parents had not allowed him to follow the yearnings of his heart. Though it was not an easy decision for them because, as well-read doctors, to allow their son to take to football was unthinkable. Today, Osaze is with West Brom to help and propel the club to a better place in the English Premier League.
The Baggies have been up and down in the recent years to the point that their fans have for so long lived on pills as they fight depression. But now, they are hoping that the Nigerian star can come up with a cure after his match-winning debut goal, which sunk Sunderland recently.
According to Osaze's father:I am proud of his (Osaze) achievements. People called me all sorts of names when they heard that I was supporting my son to become a footballer. They attacked his mother and I because, being professional doctors, they felt that we ought to have allowed our son to follow the same path.
“When he insisted on playing football, I gave him two years to prove his worth as a footballer or else, I would stop him, but he has not let me down. He now lives a dream people never thought could come true.
New hero, Osaze, 29, who joined West Brom Albion in an undisclosed fee from Lokomotiv Moscow, is desperate to help his new club to do well. He appeared on the cover of one Lokomotiv club magazine dressed up as Superman. So, West Brom fans may believe that a rescue act might not be too far-fetched.
Osaze said: The most important thing was to realise my dream of playing in England. The people who didn’t want me to leave Lokomotiv Moscow asked if I was sure about leaving, and there were little jokes, but I believed it would be okay.
Osaze fulfilled his long-held ambition to play in the Premier League recently. And he revealed how memories of Nigerian compatriot, Nwankwo Kanu in Baggies colours, and a chat with former Hawthorns player, Sam Sodje, helped him to make up his mind to sign for West Brom.
I have been looking forward to playing here for a few years now. I have been coming here to watch some of my friends for a few years and it an atmosphere where a player will push himself to the maximum, Osaze noted.
“A player will give his best and bring out something that he didn’t know he had. Having this atmosphere in every game is an incentive to do your best.
“The game is a bit faster here. In Russia, they play a lot of technical football, but here, they play it forward quicker, which suits me.
“I call for the ball and they play it straight away. I think as a striker you feel that you have to be on alert every moment to wait for the chances.
“The first thing that came to my mind was that one of our biggest players, Kanu, came here and I wouldn't have come here if it wasn't a good team. Then one of our players who played here, Sam Sodje, told me a lot of positive things about the club, he added.
Raised in Russia, Osaze chose to pledge his allegiance to the national football team of Nigeria, although he was also eligible for Russia and Uzbekistan.
Osaze, first, plied his trade with Belgian club, La Louviere and made his mark by helping the club to win the Belgian Cup in his first year as a professional. He scored nine goals in 44 appearances, which got the attention of the French Ligue 1 side, Lille, and before long, he was starting on the squad.
Famous for his technique and pace, the Nigerian player was being watched by some of the prestigious European clubs, but he pledged his allegiance to Lille, which he helped in the league the following season. He scored five goals for the club in the 2007/08 season, with two goals against AC Milan at San Siro to take Lille to the UEFA Champions League knockout stages that year. However, in July 2007, the club couldn't resist a $14million offer from Lokomotiv Moscow, which prompted his move to the Russian club.
On August 20, 2010, Osaze joined the English Premier League team, West Bromwich Albion for an undisclosed fee. He signed a three-year contract and was granted the No. 24 shirt. And as a fantastic player he is, the following day, August 21, he scored the 81st-minute winning goal on his Premiership debut in the 1 0 win against Sunderland.
