Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | September 20, 1972 | ||
Place of birth | Obaku, Imo, Nigeria | ||
Height | 1.76 m (5 ft 9 1⁄2 in) | ||
Playing position | Defender | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1989 | Obanta United | ||
1989–1991 | K. Beerschot V.A.C. | 21 | (0) |
1991–1996 | Eendracht Aalst | 88 | (5) |
1996–1999 | RC Strasbourg | 96 | (6) |
1999–2001 | Paris SG | 19 | (0) |
2001–2004 | Standard Liège | 67 | (1) |
National team | |||
1991–2001 | Nigeria | 18 | (0) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. |
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.
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.