Godwin Okpara

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Godwin Okpara (born September 20, 1972 in Lagos) is a former football defender. Capped for Nigeria, he was part of the team that participated in the 1998 FIFA World Cup and the 2000 Summer Olympics.

Okpara was outstanding at the 1989 U-17 World Championship, and moved to Belgian club Beerschot. After some years of relative success, for instance winning the Belgian Ebony Shoe, he moved to play in France for RC Strasbourg and Paris SG. His second season in the latter club was miserable, making him return to Belgium and Standard Liège. Okpara retired after the 2003-04 season.

Contents

[edit] Prison

In August 2005, Okpara was arrested by French police on charges of raping his 13 year-old step-daughter.[1] He was found guilty and imprisoned in June 2007.[2][3]

[edit] Playing career

[edit] References

  1. ^ Nigeria's Okpara in French jail. BBC (2005-08-24). Retrieved on 2008-02-23.
  2. ^ Former Nigerian football player sentenced to 13 years for rape. Soccerway (2007-06-01). Retrieved on 2008-02-23.
  3. ^ Okpara sentenced to jail for rape. BBC (2008-02-23). Retrieved on 2008-02-23.

[edit] External references

Preceded by
Daniel Amokachi		 Belgian Ebony Shoe
1995		 Succeeded by
Celestine Babayaro
v • d • e
Nigeria squad - 1998 FIFA World Cup
1 Rufai • 2 Oparaku • 3 Babayaro • 4 Kanu • 5 Uche • 6 West • 7 Finidi • 8 Adepoju • 9 Yekini • 10 Okocha • 11 Lawal • 12 W. Okpara • 13 Babangida • 14 Amokachi • 15 Oliseh • 16 Okafor • 17 Eguavoen • 18 Oruma • 19 Iroha • 20 Ikpeba • 21 G. Okpara • 22 Baruwa • Coach: Milutinović
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