Chidi Odiah


Chukwudi Odiah, commonly known as Chidi Odiah, is a Nigerian professional footballer who played as a right back.
Chidi Odiah has represented his country at international level. He has shown himself to be a skillful, attack minded fullback with a high work-rate.

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 has played 10 games. In this year Julius Berger F.C. won the Nigeria Premier League.

Sheriff Tiraspol

In late 2000 he moved to Sheriff Tiraspol. For the time spent in Tiraspol, Odiah appeared in 58 games adding five goals, becoming one of the major players in the team. Sheriff dominated Moldovan football and Chidi won many honors: Moldovan National Division – 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04; Moldovan Cup – 2000/01, 2001/02; Moldovan Super Cup – 2003 and CIS Cup – 2003. He also gained experience in the UEFA Champions League qualifying phase.

CSKA Moscow

In CIS Cup, he drew the attention of scouts CSKA and in 2004, Odiah joined CSKA Moscow on a four-year contract. Chidi was given the number 15 shirt. He made his debut for CSKA in the Russian Premier League against Rostov. He quickly took up position right back. Season 2005 was the best in his career, to date, Chukwudi won: Russian Premier League – 2005, Russian Cup – 2005, 2004–05 UEFA Cup and participation in the 2005 UEFA Super Cup. At quarter-finals 2004–05 UEFA Cup he scored the first goal in the 4–0 win over Auxerre. Last success in CSKA: quarter-finals 2009–10 UEFA Champions League and 2010–11 Russian Cup.
Odiah left CSKA Moscow by mutual consent on 16 February 2012. After Odiah's release from CSKA Moscow, there was an internet rumour that Odiah had retired from football and was now driving taxis in the USA, a claim that Odiah denied.

Back to Julius Berger

In January 2015, Odiah came out of his three-year retirement in order to play for his old football club Julius Berger

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 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

International

International goals

#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
11 October 2008Abuja, Nigeria4–1Won2010 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Clubs

Julius Berger
Sheriff Tiraspol
CSKA Moscow
Nigeria
Nigeria under-17 team