Peter Odemwingie, the former Super Eagles attacker, has taken a significant step in his post-football career by joining the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA).
The PGA, which organizes tours for professional golfers globally, announced Odemwingie’s admission in a video on Tuesday.
Speaking on his induction, Odemwingie expressed his pride and excitement about joining the ranks of professional golfers.
He revealed that his passion for golf developed during the latter days of his football career and highlighted the challenge of adapting to the solitary nature of golf compared to the camaraderie of football.
“I’m really proud of all of myself and my friends who are graduating today as well. It is a long journey. I fell in love with the game,” Odemwingie said.
“I play lots of pro-ams as an amateur. I am coming from a football background. I had a decent-level career in a group sport. Now I am in a different sport, sometimes you can be lonely in golf — just you and your caddie, if you have one. And seeing what the PGA professionals enjoy. I passed the playing ability test, I was accepted on the programme and I was excited that day as I am today.”
Born in Uzbekistan to a Russian mother and a Nigerian father, Odemwingie made his debut for the Super Eagles in 2002 and earned 63 caps for the national team.
He played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s 2014 World Cup campaign, scoring the decisive goal against Bosnia-Herzegovina that secured Nigeria’s advancement to the round of 16.
Odemwingie’s football career began at Bendel Insurance before he moved to Europe, playing for clubs such as La Louvière, Lille, and Lokomotiv Moscow.
He later joined English Premier League teams West Bromwich Albion, Cardiff City, and Stoke City. He retired from professional football in 2019.
