Odemwingie's secret's out

By Matt Spiro in Tunisia

Nigeria will be hoping for more inspiration from RAA Louviéroise forward Peter Odemwingie when they take on hosts Tunisia in the semi-finals of the African Cup of Nations on Wednesday.

Scorching drives
Few outside Belgium and Russia had heard of Odemwingie prior to the African Cup of Nations, but the 22-year-old is making a name for himself in Tunisia. He first appeared in the tournament as a substitute in Nigeria's second game against South Africa and made an immediate impact, scoring two goals with scorching drives - one with his left foot and one with his right - in a 4-0 win. The versatile winger impressed again after coming off the bench in a 2-1 defeat of Benin and convinced coach Christian Chukwu to start him in the quarter-final against Cameroon.

Aghahowa factor
The defending champions were no doubt prepared for the threat of Nigeria's big-name stars like Jay-Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu and John Utaka, but it was Odemwingie, with his darting runs down both flanks, who arguably posed the most problems. "I'm like a secret weapon for Nigeria," the youngster told uefa.com following the 2-1 win against Cameroon. "I'm just starting out in international football so our opponents don't know my strengths and weaknesses yet. In 2000 the same happened with Julius [Aghahowa]. People didn't know who he was and he caused real problems."

Russian mother
Born in Uzbekistan to a Russian mother and a Nigerian father, Odemwingie moved to Nigeria at the age of two but spent much of his childhood in Benin and Russia. Nevertheless, he had no hesitation in choosing to represent the Super Eagles. "Nigeria were the first country to discover me," he explained. "I like their style of play so it was an easy decision. I think my dad would have been upset had I chosen to play for Russia, while my mum didn't mind which country I chose."

'Ideal club'
It is in Europe, however, that Odemwingie plays his club football. "I've been at La Louvière for a year and a half now and I'm really enjoying it," he continued. "It's the ideal club for me right now because I am managing to play regularly and that is helping my development. Last season we won the Belgian Cup and qualified for Europe, which was a fantastic achievement because we're not one of Belgium's bigger clubs."

UEFA Cup
La Louvière's UEFA Cup adventure did not get beyond the first round as they lost 2-1 on aggregate to SL Benfica, but Odemwingie, who scored the Belgian team's goal, revelled in the experience. "I enjoy playing on the big stage," he said. "To play in the UEFA Cup against such a great team was really special, although I was disappointed in the end because I was hoping that we'd have a good run." Now Odemwingie has had a taste of European football he wants more, and admits he might have to move to another club to realise that goal.

Possible move
"Every player wants to test himself at the highest possible level so of course I'd like to move to a bigger club," he said. "I had talks with a few clubs before coming to Tunisia so I might get a transfer soon." Odemwingie, though, remained tight-lipped on the identity of those clubs: "I can't say. For the moment, though, I have to concentrate on Nigeria. Everything has gone well so far, but I still feel I have more to give to the team." Tunisia have been warned.