Godwin Okpara (born 20 September 1972) is a Nigerian former professional footballer who played as a defender. He was part of the Nigeria national team squads that participated in the 1998 FIFA World Cup, 2000 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2000 Summer Olympics.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 20 September 1972 | ||
| Place of birth | Ogbaku, Nigeria | ||
| Height | 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1989 | Obanta United | ||
| 1989–1991 | Beerschot | 21 | (0) |
| 1991–1996 | Eendracht Aalst | 94 | (1) |
| 1996–1999 | Strasbourg | 96 | (6) |
| 1999–2001 | Paris Saint-Germain | 19 | (0) |
| 2001–2004 | Standard Liège | 67 | (1) |
| International career | |||
| 2000 | Nigeria Olympic (O.P.) | 4 | (0) |
| 1991–2001 | Nigeria | 18 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Career
editOkpara was outstanding[1] at the 1989 U-17 World Championship,in Scotland. His impressive skills caught the attention of Pelé, who hailed him as a future world-class player, praising his football skill. The Imo State-born defender, after playing for AGIP FC of Lagos and Obanta United began his foreign professional stint in Belgium in 1989 with Beerschot.[2] After some years of relative success playing for Eendracht Aalst, including winning the Belgian Ebony Shoe, he moved to play in France for RC Strasbourg and Paris Saint-Germain. While at Strasbourg he won the Coupe de la Ligue in 1997, playing in the final.[3] His second season with PSG was miserable,[4] making him return to Belgium and Standard Liège. Okpara retired after the 2003–04 season.
Prison
editIn August 2005, Okpara was arrested by French police on charges of raping his 13-year-old adopted daughter, Awawu Tina.[5] He was found guilty and imprisoned in June 2007 for thirteen years, but his sentence was reduced to seven years due a successful appeal. His wife, Linda Okpara, was sentenced to 15 years in jail for torture of the same girl.[6][7] In November 2017, he was arraigned in an Ikeja Magistrate Court for allegedly battering his wife of 25 years.[2]
References
edit- ^ "Pele's boy, Okpara reminisces career success, setbacks". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 21 August 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
- ^ a b "Godwin Okpara biography, net worth, age, family, contact & picture". www.manpower.com.ng. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
- ^ "RC Strasbourg Alsace - Girondins de Bordeaux". ligue1.com. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
- ^ "Nigeria: Okpara - Fall of a Super Eagles Star".
- ^ "Nigeria's Okpara in French jail". BBC. 24 August 2005. Retrieved 23 February 2008.
- ^ "Former Nigerian football player sentenced to 13 years for rape". Soccerway. 1 June 2007. Retrieved 23 February 2008.
- ^ "Okpara sentenced to jail for rape". BBC. 23 February 2008. Retrieved 23 February 2008.
External links
edit- Godwin Okpara at National-Football-Teams.com
- Nigerian Players