Efe Sodje
Encyclopedia
Efetobore "Efe" Sodje is a footballer who is currently playing for Bury
. He is a central defender
. He has featured at international level for Nigeria
and was in the squad for the 2000 African Cup of Nations
and the 2002 World Cup
.
in the Conference National
, who he had signed for ahead of the 1994–95
campaign. Prior to signing for Stevenage, Sodje had unsuccessful trials at both Wimbledon
and Luton Town
. He featured in Stevenage's reserve side throughout August 1994, waiting for his international clearance to come through before making a first-team appearance. He eventually made his debut on 27 September 1994, starting in Stevenage's 1–0 defeat at Welling United
. Sodje made a total of 33 appearances during the 1994–95 campaign, scoring once in a 5–0 win over Yeovil Town
, a game in which he came off the substitute's bench to score. Sodje remained at Stevenage the following season, helping the club win the Conference National, only to be denied promotion to the Football League
due to insufficient ground facilities. During the campaign, he made 49 appearances, scoring five goals, four of which came in the league. Sodje's third season at Stevenage was arguably his best, scoring 7 times in 55 games in all competitions, as Stevenage finished the season in third place, beaten to the title by Macclesfield Town
. He left at the end of the season in order to join newly promoted Macclesfield Town. He made 138 appearances for Stevenage during his three year spell with the Hertfordshire side, scoring thirteen goals.
Sodje scored on his Football League
debut, which was also Macclesfield Town's first game in the League. He played 83 times, scoring 6 goals for Macclesfield Town before he left to join Luton Town
, where he only made 9 appearances and was loaned out to Colchester United
.
Sodje then moved to Crewe Alexandra
in 2000 where he made 97 league appearances for the club. His first goal for Crewe came in their 4-2 win over Portsmouth
on 8 December 2001. During his time at Crewe Sodje was called up to the Nigeria
for the 2002 FIFA World Cup
in Japan.
side Huddersfield Town
, where he was made captain. His Town debut came in their 2–1 win over Derby County
in the first round of the League Cup on the 12 August 2003. His league debut came in their 2–2 draw with Boston United
on the 16th August. He scored his first goal for the Terriers came in their 2–0 home win over Boston United
in January 2004. In his first season with the Terriers he helped them to the Division Three Play-off title.
Sodje was also voted into the PFA PFA Players' Division Three team of the season for the 2003/04 season
in the 2006–07
season.
On 10 July 2007, he joined League One
side Gillingham
on a two-year deal, and made his debut in the 1–0 away defeat to Cheltenham Town
on 11 August. In February 2008 he joined Bury
on loan until the end of the season, and was transfer listed on 5 June 2008.
on a two year contract as a player-coach
, on 3 July 2008. At the beginning of the 2010-11 season, he was named 2nd vice-captain by Alan Knill
after Ryan Lowe
. In May 2011 he signed a new two year contract extension.
represented Nigeria
at international level. He was part of the squad that finished second to Cameroon
in the 2000 African Cup of Nations
.
He was also part of the Nigeria
squad that went to the 2002 FIFA World Cup
making two appearances against Argentina
and England
. So far Sodje has played 9 times, scoring once in a 2-1 friendly win against Republic of Ireland
.
, London
, his family originate from Warri, in Delta State
, Nigeria
. Sodje is the eldest of four brothers who all play football; three of them professionally and one semi-professionally. Sam
, Akpo
, the youngest of the four has played along side Efe at Huddersfield Town
. Both Efe and Sam have represented Nigeria
at international level. Steve, who plays semi-professionally has never played a Football League
game.
Bright
, used to play rugby league
and rugby union
. His cousin Onome Sodje
has also played professionally in England.
Sodje is famous for wearing a kufi
while playing, usually mistaken for a bandana
, something he started doing in 1994 at the request of his mother. The headband often has the words "Against All Odds".
Bury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
. He is a central defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
. He has featured at international level for Nigeria
Nigeria national football team
The Nigeria national football team, nicknamed the Super Eagles or Green Eagles, is the national team of Nigeria and is controlled by the Nigeria Football Federation . The team has ranked as high as 5th in the FIFA World Rankings, in April 1994...
and was in the squad for the 2000 African Cup of Nations
2000 African Cup of Nations
The 2000 African Cup of Nations was the 22nd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the association football championship of Africa . It was co-hosted by Ghana and Nigeria, who jointly replaced Zimbabwe as host. Just like in 1998, the field of sixteen teams was split into four groups of four...
and the 2002 World Cup
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
.
Early career
Sodje began his career playing for Stevenage BoroughStevenage Borough F.C.
Stevenage Football Club is an English football club based in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. The club currently participate in League One, the third tier of English football, having won promotion from League Two in the 2010–11 season...
in the Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
, who he had signed for ahead of the 1994–95
1994-95 in English football
-Premiership:Blackburn Rovers ended their 81-year wait for the league title thanks to the strike partnership of Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton which scored a total of more than 50 league goals. Manchester United would have made it three league titles in a row if they had been able to turn a 1-1 draw...
campaign. Prior to signing for Stevenage, Sodje had unsuccessful trials at both Wimbledon
Wimbledon F.C.
Wimbledon Football Club was an English professional association football club from Wimbledon, south-west London. Founded in 1889 as Wimbledon Old Central Football Club, the club spent most of its history in amateur and semi-professional non-League football before being elected to the Football...
and Luton Town
Luton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
. He featured in Stevenage's reserve side throughout August 1994, waiting for his international clearance to come through before making a first-team appearance. He eventually made his debut on 27 September 1994, starting in Stevenage's 1–0 defeat at Welling United
Welling United F.C.
Welling United Football Club are an English football club, based in Welling in the London Borough of Bexley. They currently play in the Conference South. The 2010–11 season was not a good one for them as the club had financial problems, nearly going bankrupt but lots of supporters chipped in and...
. Sodje made a total of 33 appearances during the 1994–95 campaign, scoring once in a 5–0 win over Yeovil Town
Yeovil Town F.C.
Yeovil Town F.C. are an English association football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The club play in League One after having won the League Two championship in 2004–05...
, a game in which he came off the substitute's bench to score. Sodje remained at Stevenage the following season, helping the club win the Conference National, only to be denied promotion to the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
due to insufficient ground facilities. During the campaign, he made 49 appearances, scoring five goals, four of which came in the league. Sodje's third season at Stevenage was arguably his best, scoring 7 times in 55 games in all competitions, as Stevenage finished the season in third place, beaten to the title by Macclesfield Town
Macclesfield Town F.C.
Macclesfield Town Football Club is an English football team. The club was formed in 1874 and is based in the town of Macclesfield in Cheshire. The team play its home games at the 6,355 capacity Moss Rose stadium...
. He left at the end of the season in order to join newly promoted Macclesfield Town. He made 138 appearances for Stevenage during his three year spell with the Hertfordshire side, scoring thirteen goals.
Sodje scored on his Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
debut, which was also Macclesfield Town's first game in the League. He played 83 times, scoring 6 goals for Macclesfield Town before he left to join Luton Town
Luton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
, where he only made 9 appearances and was loaned out to Colchester United
Colchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
.
Sodje then moved to Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
in 2000 where he made 97 league appearances for the club. His first goal for Crewe came in their 4-2 win over Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
on 8 December 2001. During his time at Crewe Sodje was called up to the Nigeria
Nigeria national football team
The Nigeria national football team, nicknamed the Super Eagles or Green Eagles, is the national team of Nigeria and is controlled by the Nigeria Football Federation . The team has ranked as high as 5th in the FIFA World Rankings, in April 1994...
for the 2002 FIFA World Cup
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
in Japan.
Huddersfield Town
Sodje joined then Division 3Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
, where he was made captain. His Town debut came in their 2–1 win over Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
in the first round of the League Cup on the 12 August 2003. His league debut came in their 2–2 draw with Boston United
Boston United F.C.
Boston United Football Club are an association football club based in Boston, Lincolnshire, England. They currently play in the Conference North. The club is known as 'the Pilgrims' in reference to the Pilgrim Fathers, who fled from Boston to the USA and founded Boston, Massachusetts. The club's...
on the 16th August. He scored his first goal for the Terriers came in their 2–0 home win over Boston United
Boston United F.C.
Boston United Football Club are an association football club based in Boston, Lincolnshire, England. They currently play in the Conference North. The club is known as 'the Pilgrims' in reference to the Pilgrim Fathers, who fled from Boston to the USA and founded Boston, Massachusetts. The club's...
in January 2004. In his first season with the Terriers he helped them to the Division Three Play-off title.
Sodje was also voted into the PFA PFA Players' Division Three team of the season for the 2003/04 season
Southend United
Sodje left Southend following their relegation from the ChampionshipFootball League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
in the 2006–07
2006-07 in English football
The 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five...
season.
On 10 July 2007, he joined League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Gillingham
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
on a two-year deal, and made his debut in the 1–0 away defeat to Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham Town F.C.
Cheltenham Town Football Club is an English football club playing in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Founded in 1887, the team has played at four different grounds, namely Agg-Gardner's Recreation Ground, Carter's Field and now the Abbey Business Stadium, although it is more...
on 11 August. In February 2008 he joined Bury
Bury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
on loan until the end of the season, and was transfer listed on 5 June 2008.
Bury
It was announced on 1 July 2008, that his contract had been terminated by Gillingham. Sodje was signed by BuryBury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
on a two year contract as a player-coach
Player-coach
A player-coach, in sports, is a member of a sports team who simultaneously holds both playing and coaching duties. The term can be used to refer to both players who serve as head coaches, or as assistant coaches....
, on 3 July 2008. At the beginning of the 2010-11 season, he was named 2nd vice-captain by Alan Knill
Alan Knill
Alan Richard Knill is a former Wales international footballer who played as a central defender. He is presently manager of League One side Scunthorpe United.-Playing career:...
after Ryan Lowe
Ryan Lowe
Ryan Thomas Lowe is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Football League One side Sheffield Wednesday.-Playing career:...
. In May 2011 he signed a new two year contract extension.
International career
Although born in England Sodje like his brother SamSam Sodje
Samuel Okeremute Sodje is an English-born Nigerian footballer who plays as a defender for Notts County. Sodje also represents Nigeria at international level.-Early years:...
represented Nigeria
Nigeria national football team
The Nigeria national football team, nicknamed the Super Eagles or Green Eagles, is the national team of Nigeria and is controlled by the Nigeria Football Federation . The team has ranked as high as 5th in the FIFA World Rankings, in April 1994...
at international level. He was part of the squad that finished second to Cameroon
Cameroon national football team
The Cameroon national football team, nicknamed Les Lions Indomptables , is controlled by the Fédération Camerounaise de Football and is Africa's most successful side in FIFA world cup; having qualified for the FIFA World Cup six times – in 1982, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2010– more than any...
in the 2000 African Cup of Nations
2000 African Cup of Nations
The 2000 African Cup of Nations was the 22nd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the association football championship of Africa . It was co-hosted by Ghana and Nigeria, who jointly replaced Zimbabwe as host. Just like in 1998, the field of sixteen teams was split into four groups of four...
.
He was also part of the Nigeria
Nigeria national football team
The Nigeria national football team, nicknamed the Super Eagles or Green Eagles, is the national team of Nigeria and is controlled by the Nigeria Football Federation . The team has ranked as high as 5th in the FIFA World Rankings, in April 1994...
squad that went to the 2002 FIFA World Cup
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
making two appearances against Argentina
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
and England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
. So far Sodje has played 9 times, scoring once in a 2-1 friendly win against Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
.
Family and headwear
Born in GreenwichGreenwich
Greenwich is a district of south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich.Greenwich is best known for its maritime history and for giving its name to the Greenwich Meridian and Greenwich Mean Time...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, his family originate from Warri, in Delta State
Delta State
Delta State may refer to:*Delta State, a state in southern Nigeria.*Delta State , a Canadian animated television series.*Delta State University, a public university located in the U.S. state of Mississippi....
, Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
. Sodje is the eldest of four brothers who all play football; three of them professionally and one semi-professionally. Sam
Sam Sodje
Samuel Okeremute Sodje is an English-born Nigerian footballer who plays as a defender for Notts County. Sodje also represents Nigeria at international level.-Early years:...
, Akpo
Akpo Sodje
Idoro Akpoeyere Ujoma "Akpo" Sodje is an English footballer of Nigerian heritage, currently playing for Scottish club Hibernian...
, the youngest of the four has played along side Efe at Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
. Both Efe and Sam have represented Nigeria
Nigeria national football team
The Nigeria national football team, nicknamed the Super Eagles or Green Eagles, is the national team of Nigeria and is controlled by the Nigeria Football Federation . The team has ranked as high as 5th in the FIFA World Rankings, in April 1994...
at international level. Steve, who plays semi-professionally has never played a Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
game.
Bright
Bright Sodje
Bright Ojamohare Sodje is a 6'5 retired dual-code rugby player, who played for rugby league clubs Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, Hull Kingston Rovers and Sheffield Eagles in England as well as rugby union for Wakefield RFC....
, used to play rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
and rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
. His cousin Onome Sodje
Onome Sodje
Onome Sympson Sodje is a Nigerian footballer who plays for Vietnamese First Division club Đồng Nai as a striker.-Career:Born in Warri, Delta State, Sodje came through the Charlton Athletic Academy. He scored 14 goals in 19 games in the 2003–04 U17 FA Premier Academy League. He spent time on loan...
has also played professionally in England.
Sodje is famous for wearing a kufi
Kufi
A kufi or kufi cap is a brimless, short, rounded cap worn by many populations in West Africa of all religions and throughout the African diaspora.-African and African-American Usage:...
while playing, usually mistaken for a bandana
Bandana
Bandana can refer to:*Another name for a kerchief*Bandana *Bandana *Bandana, Kentucky, a small town in the United States*Y Bandana, a Welsh alternative rock band.**Y Bandana , their self-titled debut album....
, something he started doing in 1994 at the request of his mother. The headband often has the words "Against All Odds".