Odemwingie is a striker for Russian Premier League's Lokomotiv Moscow and the Nigerian national team.
Odemwingie first made his mark with 9 goals in 44 appearances the Belgian side La Louviere. His performance did not go unnoticed: in the 2007-2008 season, he moved to the French Ligue 1 team Lille, where he scored 5 goals and earned an even bigger name for himself. His club, however, traded the striker for U.S.$14 million to the Russian League team Lokomotiv Moscow.
Though eligible to play for Russia, Odemwingie chose to play for Nigeria. His first appearance for the national team was in the 2004 African Cup of Nations where he scored his first and second goal in the 80th and 82nd minute against South Africa. He has played in all three of the biannual Nations Cup competitions following his first appearance.
He served as Nigeria's captain for the 2010 African Nations Cup. Following a lacklustre showing at the 2010 championships, Odemwingie controversially openly blamed coach Shaibu Amodu.