Godwin Okpara

Godwin Okpara
Personal information
Date of birthSeptember 20, 1972
Place of birthObaku, Imo, Nigeria
Height1.76 m (5 ft 9 1⁄2 in)
Playing positionDefender
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
1989Obanta United
1989-1991K. Beerschot V.A.C.21(0)
1991-1996Eendracht Aalst88(5)
1996-1999RC Strasbourg96(6)
1999-2001Paris SG19(0)
2001-2004Standard Liège67(1)
National team
1991-2001Nigeria18(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.
† Appearances (Goals).

Godwin Okpara (born September 20, 1972 in Obaku, Imo) is a former football defender. Capped for Nigeria, he was part of the team that participated in the 1998 FIFA World Cup, 2000 Africa Cup of Nations 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 playing for Eendracht Aalst, 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.

Prison

In August 2005, Okpara was arrested by French police on charges of raping his 13 year-old adopted daughter.[1] He was found guilty and imprisoned in June 2007 for 10 years. His wife, Linda Okpara, accused of torture on the same person has been condemned to 15 years in jail.[2][3]

References

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

External references