Chibuzor Okonkwo Explained

Chibuzor Okonkwo
Fullname:Chibuzor Augustine Okonkwo
Birth Date:1988 12, df=yes
Birth Place:Jos, Nigeria
Position:Defender
Currentclub:Kwara United
Clubnumber:22
Years1:2004–2007
Clubs1:Ifeanyi Ubah F.C.
Years2:2007–2010
Clubs2:Bayelsa United
Years3:2010–2012
Clubs3:Heartland
Years4:2012
Clubs4:Enyimba International F.C.
Years5:2013
Clubs5:Enugu Rangers
Goals5:1
Years6:2013–2014
Clubs6:Asswehly S.C.
Years7:2015–2017
Clubs7:Ifeanyi Ubah F.C.
Years8:2017
Clubs8:El-Kanemi Warriors F.C.
Years9:2017–
Clubs9:Kwara United
Nationalyears1:2008
Nationalteam1:Nigeria U-23
Nationalcaps1:5
Nationalgoals1:1
Nationalyears2:2010–
Nationalteam2:Nigeria
Nationalcaps2:9
Nationalgoals2:0
Ntupdate:21 June 2013

Chibuzor Augustine Okonkwo (born 16 December 1988) is a Nigerian footballer who currently plays as a full-back for Kwara United F.C. Although he is naturally right-footed, he can play on either side of the pitch.

Career

In January 2007 Okonkwo moved from Gabros International (now Ifeanyi Ubah F.C.) to Bayelsa United F.C.,[1] where he won the 2008-09 League MVP award after helping Bayelsa win their first ever league title.[2] On 6 October 2009, Okonkwo signed for Heartland F.C.[3] The deal fell through however and he returned to Bayelsa. On 23 August 2010, he was to move to Russian Premier side FC Rostov. But the deal was eventually quashed due to disagreement over wages. He returned home to sign for Heartland, where his mentor Samson Siasia was in charge. In December 2011, it was reported that he attended trial at Aston Villa Football Club. He trialed with Reading F.C. in January 2012,appearing in a reserve team fixture against Watford.[4]

At the end of February 2012, Okonkwo completed a medical and was close to agreeing terms with Vålerenga Fotball, but as of the end of April 2012 was still contracted to Heartland. He signed on 22 November 2012 a two-year deal with Enyimba International F.C.,[5] but the deal fell through and he signed with rivals Rangers in February 2013.[6] In August 2013, he signed a short-term deal with Asswehly in Libya.[7] He rejoined FC Ifeanyi Ubah ahead of the 2015 Nigerian season and helped the promoted club win the Nigeria National League Super Four.[8] He moved to El-Kanemi Warriors F.C. in 2017[9] and transferred to Kwara United in 2018.

International career

Was member of Nigeria U-23 team for 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.[10] He was added to the Super Eagles' list for friendlies in April 2009, the first Nigeria-based player to earn a callup since Shaibu Amodu became coach,[11] but was unable to travel due to visa problems.[12]

He finally made his Nigeria debut on 3 March 2010, starting at right back in the 5–2 home win over Congo DR.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bayelsa, Gabros fought over Okonkwo . 2008-09-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080909084207/http://www.kickoffnigeria.com/static/news/article.php?id=2563 . 2008-09-09 . dead .
  2. http://www.kickoff.com/static/news/article.php?id=10549{{Dead link|date=November 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
  3. http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/sports/article01//indexn3_html?pdate=061009&ptitle=Amodu%20rues%20Uche%27s%20absence,%20as%2030%20Eagles%20begin%20camping&cpdate=061009 Amodu rues Uche's absence, as 30 Eagles begin camping
  4. Web site: Reading Did Not Offer CHIBUZOR OKONKWO A Contract. www.allnigeriasoccer.com/. All Nigeria Soccer. 8 December 2015. 29 January 2012.
  5. Web site: Welcome soccerpress.net - BlueHost.com. www.soccerpress.net. en. 2018-05-14. 8 December 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121208081737/http://www.soccerpress.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1337:npl-transfers-in-full-swing&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=27. dead.
  6. Web site: Chibuzor Okonkwo happy with his first goal for Rangers Goal.com. www.goal.com. en. 2018-05-14.
  7. Web site: Okonkwo joins Libyan club . 13 December 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131213030003/http://www.mtnfootball.com/africa/nigeria/premier-league/news/2013/aug/27-chibuzor-okonkwo-joins-libyan-club.html . 13 December 2013 . dead .
  8. Web site: Gabros clinch NNL Super 4 - Nigeria National League 2014 - Kwara United - Chibuzor Okonkwo . 28 February 2015 . 2 March 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150302052301/http://mtnfootball.com/news/513487/Gabros-clinch-NNL-Super-4 . dead .
  9. Web site: Ex-Olympic star Chibuzor Okonkwo joins el Kanemi after he's frozen out at FC Ifeanyiubah | SCORE NIGERIA . 8 July 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171210020228/http://scorenigeria.com.ng/2017/04/21/ex-olympic-star-chibuzor-okonkwo-joins-el-kanemi-after-hes-frozen-out-at-fc-ifeanyiubah/ . 10 December 2017 . dead .
  10. Web site: FIFA Tournaments - Players & Coaches - Chibuzor OKONKWO. https://web.archive.org/web/20080811121319/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=296290/index.html. dead. 11 August 2008. FIFA.com. en-GB. 2018-05-14.
  11. Web site: Kick off - South Africa . 24 April 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090427123908/http://www.kickoff.com/static/news/article.php?id=8051 . 27 April 2009 . dead .
  12. http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/sports/article01//indexn3_html?pdate=090509&ptitle=Chibuzor%20Okonkwo:%20On%20A%20Mission%20To%20Conquer%20For%20Home-Based%20Eagles&cpdate=090509 Chibuzor Okonkwo: On A Mission To Conquer For Home-Based Eagles