Godwin Okpara
Encyclopedia
Godwin Okpara 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 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.
Nigeria national football team
The Nigeria national football team, nicknamed the Super Eagles or Green Eagles, is the national team of Nigeria and is controlled by the Nigeria Football Federation . The team has ranked as high as 5th in the FIFA World Rankings, in April 1994...
, he was part of the team that participated in the 1998 FIFA World Cup
1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
and the 2000 Summer Olympics
Football at the 2000 Summer Olympics
The football tournament at the 2000 Summer Olympics was the 20th official Olympic football tournament. A women's tournament was held for the second time.-Medal winners:-Venues:*Olympic Stadium, Sydney*Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney*Bruce Stadium, Canberra...
.
Okpara was outstanding at the 1989 U-17 World Championship, and moved to Belgian club Beerschot
K. Beerschot V.A.C.
Koninklijke Beerschot Voetbal en Atletiek Club is a former Belgian football club from Antwerp. The club was founded in 1899 when most players of R. Antwerp F.C. left the club. It played in the 1920 Olympic Games Stadium named the "Kiel". After many financial problems over the years, the club was...
. After some years of relative success playing for Eendracht Aalst, for instance winning the Belgian Ebony Shoe
Belgian Ebony Shoe
The Belgian Ebony Shoe is a football award given annually to the best African player in the Belgian Pro League. The jury is composed of the coaches of Jupiler League clubs, the Belgian national team manager, sport journalists, and honorary juror...
, he moved to play in France for RC Strasbourg
RC Strasbourg
Racing Club de Strasbourg is a French association football club founded in 1906 and professional since 1933, based in the city of Strasbourg, in Alsace...
and Paris SG. His second season in the latter club was miserable, making him return to Belgium and Standard Liège
Standard Liège
Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège (Dutch: Standard Luik [], German: Standard Lüttich , is a Belgian football club from the city of 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. 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.Playing career
- 1989 :
Obanta United - 1989-90 :
BeerschotK. Beerschot V.A.C.Koninklijke Beerschot Voetbal en Atletiek Club is a former Belgian football club from Antwerp. The club was founded in 1899 when most players of R. Antwerp F.C. left the club. It played in the 1920 Olympic Games Stadium named the "Kiel". After many financial problems over the years, the club was...
(1/0) - 1990-91 : BeerschotK. Beerschot V.A.C.Koninklijke Beerschot Voetbal en Atletiek Club is a former Belgian football club from Antwerp. The club was founded in 1899 when most players of R. Antwerp F.C. left the club. It played in the 1920 Olympic Games Stadium named the "Kiel". After many financial problems over the years, the club was...
(20/0) - 1991-92 : K.S.C. Eendracht Aalst (30/1)
- 1992-93 : K.S.C. Eendracht Aalst
- 1993-94 : K.S.C. Eendracht Aalst
- 1994-95 : K.S.C. Eendracht Aalst (32/0)
- 1995-96 : K.S.C. Eendracht Aalst (26/4)
- 1996-97 :
RC StrasbourgRC StrasbourgRacing Club de Strasbourg is a French association football club founded in 1906 and professional since 1933, based in the city of Strasbourg, in Alsace...
(34/4) - 1997-98 : RC StrasbourgRC StrasbourgRacing Club de Strasbourg is a French association football club founded in 1906 and professional since 1933, based in the city of Strasbourg, in Alsace...
(30/2) - 1998-99 : RC StrasbourgRC StrasbourgRacing Club de Strasbourg is a French association football club founded in 1906 and professional since 1933, based in the city of Strasbourg, in Alsace...
(32/0) - 1999-00 : Paris Saint-Germain (15/0)
- 2000-01 : Paris Saint-Germain (4/0)
- 2001-02 : Standard LiègeStandard LiègeRoyal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège (Dutch: Standard Luik [], German: Standard Lüttich , is a Belgian football club from the city of Liège....
(30/1) - 2002-03 : Standard LiègeStandard LiègeRoyal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège (Dutch: Standard Luik [], German: Standard Lüttich , is a Belgian football club from the city of Liège....
(27/0) - 2003-04 : Standard LiègeStandard LiègeRoyal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège (Dutch: Standard Luik [], German: Standard Lüttich , is a Belgian football club from the city of Liège....
(10/0)