Godwin Okpara

Godwin Okpara

Personal information
Date of birth	September 20, 1972 (1972-09-20)
Place of birth	Ogbaku, Nigeria
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
	Nigeria	28	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

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 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. 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 : Beerschot (1/0)
• 1990-91 : Beerschot (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 Strasbourg (34/4)
• 1997-98 : RC Strasbourg (30/2)
• 1998-99 : RC Strasbourg (32/0)
• 1999-00 : Paris Saint-Germain (15/0)
• 2000-01 : Paris Saint-Germain (4/0)
• 2001-02 : Standard Liège (30/1)
• 2002-03 : Standard Liège (27/0)
• 2003-04 : Standard Liège (10/0)

External references

• Nigerian Players