Godwin Okpara Explained

Godwin Okpara
Birth Date:1972 9, df=y
Birth Place:Obaku, Imo, Nigeria
Height:1.76 m
Position:Defender
Years1:1989
Clubs1:Obanta United
Years2:1989–1991
Clubs2:K. Beerschot V.A.C.
Caps2:21
Goals2:0
Years3:1991–1996
Clubs3:Eendracht Aalst
Caps3:88
Goals3:5
Years4:1996–1999
Clubs4:Strasbourg
Caps4:96
Goals4:6
Years5:1999–2001
Clubs5:Paris Saint-Germain
Caps5:19
Goals5:0
Years6:2001–2004
Clubs6:Standard Liège
Caps6:67
Goals6:1
Nationalyears1:2000
Nationalteam1:Nigeria Olympic (O.P.)
Nationalcaps1:4
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:1991–2001
Nationalteam2:Nigeria
Nationalcaps2:18
Nationalgoals2:0

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.

Career

Okpara was outstanding[1] at the 1989 U-17 World Championship, and moved to Belgian club Beerschot. 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.[2] His second season with PSG was miserable,[3] making him return to Belgium and Standard Liège. Okpara retired after the 2003–04 season.

Prison

In August 2005, Okpara was arrested by French police on charges of raping his 13-year-old adopted daughter.[4] He was found guilty and imprisoned in June 2007 for thirteen years. His wife, Linda Okpara, was sentenced to 15 years in jail for torture of the same girl.[5] [6]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2020-08-21 . Pele's boy, Okpara reminisces career success, setbacks . 2022-03-05 . The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News . en-US.
  2. News: RC Strasbourg Alsace - Girondins de Bordeaux . ligue1.com . 8 January 2020.
  3. Web site: Nigeria: Okpara - Fall of a Super Eagles Star .
  4. Web site: Nigeria's Okpara in French jail. 23 February 2008. 24 August 2005. BBC.
  5. Web site: Former Nigerian football player sentenced to 13 years for rape. 23 February 2008. 1 June 2007. Soccerway.
  6. Web site: Okpara sentenced to jail for rape . 23 February 2008. 23 February 2008. BBC.