Chukwudi "Chidi" Odiah (born 17 December 1983) is a Nigerian former professional footballer who played as a right-back. A former international, he was known for his work ethic, skills and attacking prowess.
Club career
Eagle Cement and Julius Berger Odiah began his career with Eagle Cement in the Nigeria Premier League before moving to Julius Berger F.C. in 2000, for which he played 10 games and won the league.
Sheriff Tiraspol In late 2000, Odiah moved to Sheriff Tiraspol. He appeared in 58 games and scored five goals, becoming one of the major players in the team as they dominated Moldovan football and won many honours.
CSKA Moscow At the 2003 CIS Cup, Odiah drew the attention of CSKA Moscow and joined the club a year later on a four-year contract. His first trophy with the club was the 2004 Russian Super Cup. During CSKA's 2004–05 UEFA Cup campaign, he scored the first goal in the 4–0 quarter-final win over Auxerre, with the campaign culminating in CSKA winning the trophy by beating Sporting CP 3–1 in the final at the Estádio José Alvalade, where Odiah played the entire match. Later that year, he went on to win the Russian Cup and the Russian Premier League title, completing a historic treble. In the 2005 UEFA Super Cup, he played 90 minutes before being substituted ahead of extra time. In early 2006, Odiah won another Russian Super Cup, scoring a vital equalizer in the 3–2 victory over Spartak Moscow. However, shortly after, he sustained a severe knee injury, sidelining him for nearly 18 months and causing him to miss most of CSKA's domestic treble campaign. He later featured in the UEFA Champions League, notably helping the club reach the quarter-finals during the 2009–10 campaign, while also winning three more Russian Cups and two additional Russian Super Cups. He left CSKA by mutual consent on 16 February 2012.
International career Chidi represented his nation at various youth levels. He played for Nigeria U-17 national team to African U-17 Championship – winner of the tournament. On the next event, Meridian Cup, he was team captain. His premier match in the senior team took place in September 2004, in a match against Zimbabwe. Chidi also twice won the bronze medal with Nigeria senior team at the African Cup of Nations – 2006, 2010.
Odiah was chosen for the team of Nigeria to 2010 FIFA World Cup and in the first match against Argentina came into the starting lineup, as well in the match with South Korea, he made goal assist.
Career statistics
Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsCSKA Moscow2004Russian Premier League210 60–27020052726015110493200630201011712007400020006020082301040–28020091302030–18020101111020–1412011–12300000–00Total1053120331211525Career total1053120331211525
International + Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsNigeria200420200550200660200700200841200920201090Total281
Score and result list Nigeria's goal tally first, score column indicates score after Odiah goal.
+ International goal scored by Chidi OdiahNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition1 11 October 2008 Abuja, Nigeria 4–1 4–1 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
Honours Julius Berger Nigeria Premier League: 2000
Sheriff Tiraspol Moldovan National Division: 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04 Moldovan Cup: 2001, 2002 Moldovan Super Cup: 2003 CIS Cup: 2003
CSKA Moscow UEFA Cup: 2005 Russian Premier League: 2005, 2006 Russian Cup: 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011 Russian Super Cup: 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009
Nigeria African Cup of Nations Bronze medalist: 2006, 2010
Nigeria U17 African U-17 Championship: 2001
Individual In the list of 33 best football players of the championship of Russia: position right half-backs № 1 (2005) In the list of 33 best football players of the championship of Russia: position right full-backs № 2 (2004)
References
External links
Odiah Profile at UEFA.com (2006/07)