Chidi Odiah

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.^[1]

Chidi Odiah

Odiah with CSKA Moscow in July 2009
Personal information
Full name	Chukwudi Odiah
Date of birth	(1983-12-17) 17 December 1983 (age 41)
Place of birth	Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s)	Right-back
Youth career
	Eagle Cement
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1998–1999	Eagle Cement	28	(3)
2000	Julius Berger	10	(1)
2000–2004	Sheriff Tiraspol	58	(5)
2004–2012	CSKA Moscow	105	(3)
Total		201	(12)
International career
2004–2010	Nigeria	28	(1)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

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 later joined the club a year later on a four-year contract.^[2] He won the UEFA Cup in 2005^[3] and participated at the 2005 UEFA Super Cup,^[4] as well as playing in the UEFA Champions League. He left CSKA by mutual consent on 16 February 2012.^[5]

International

Chidi has 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^[6] 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 competition^[7][8]

Club	Season	League			National cup		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
CSKA Moscow	2004	Russian Premier League	21	0			6	0	–		27	0
	2005		27	2	6	0	15	1	1	0	49	3
	2006		3	0	2	0	1	0	1	1	7	1
	2007		4	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	6	0
	2008		23	0	1	0	4	0	–		28	0
	2009		13	0	2	0	3	0	–		18	0
	2010		11	1	1	0	2	0	–		14	1
	2011–12		3	0	0	0	0	0	–		0	0
	Total		105	3	12	0	33	1	2	1	152	5
Career total			105	3	12	0	33	1	2	1	152	5

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year^[7]

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Nigeria	2004	2	0
	2005	5	0
	2006	6	0
	2007	0	0
	2008	4	1
	2009	2	0
	2010	9	0
Total		28	1

Score and result list Nigeria's goal tally first, score column indicates score after Odiah goal.^[7]

International goal scored by Chidi Odiah

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	11 October 2008	Abuja, Nigeria	Sierra Leone	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)^[9]
• In the list of 33 best football players of the championship of Russia: position right full-backs № 2 (2004)