Niyazbey Dzyapshipa

Niyazbey "Niyazi" Aleksandrovich Dzyapshipa (Russian: Ниязбей Александрович Дзяпшипа; 14 November 1927 – 5 January 1993) was a Soviet association football defender from Abkhazia, Georgia. He took up football at a late age of 16 in 1943, and spent most of his career playing as a central defender for Dinamo Tbilisi, finishing second in the Soviet national championships in 1953 and third in 1947 and 1950. He played 20 matches for the Soviet national team.[2] After retiring from competitions he worked as a coach for Dinamo Tbilisi (1969–1970) and Dinamo Sukhumi (1984).[1]

Dzyapshipa on a 2009 stamp of Abkhazia
Personal information
Date of birth	14 November 1927[1]
Place of birth	Ochamchire, Abkhazia, Georgia[1]
Date of death	5 January 1993 (aged 65)[1]
Place of death	Tbilisi, Georgia[1]
Height	1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s)	Defender
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1945	FC Dinamo Sukhumi
1946–1958	FC Dinamo Tbilisi	214	(2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals