(see also for the Goalie: Uche Okafor (1991 born footballer))

Uchenna Kizito Okafor, often shortened to Uche Okafor (born August 8, 1967 in Owerri) is a former football defender who played 34 international matches for Nigeria.

[edit] International

He played every match when Nigeria won the 1994 African Nations Cup, but sustained an ankle injury shortly thereafter. He was part of the squad to the 1994 FIFA World Cup but did not get any playing time. He played 1 out of the 4 games in the 1998 FIFA World Cup, though, as well as the 1988 Summer Olympics.

[edit] Career

His club career took him to many countries before he settled in the USA. Okafor was drafted to Kansas City Wizards in the 9th round of the 1996 MLS Inaugural Player Draft, and played there for five seasons before retiring after the 2000 season. He currently coaches for the Associated Soccer Group (ASG), a member of the North Texas Soccer association. He is head coach for the 91 Gold Central boys team and the dominating 93 HP Central boys team who are going to dominate the Plano Premier Select Soccer league in 2008. Other notable professional footballers who coach for ASG are Dave Dir, Zequinha, Oscar Pareja, and Bobby Rhine.

[edit] Playing career

• 1986 - ACB Lagos
• 1987 - ACB Lagos
• 1988 - ACB Lagos
• 1988-89 - KRC Mechelen
• 1989-90 - KRC Mechelen
• 1990-91 - KRC Mechelen
• 1991-92 - UR Namur
• 1992-93 - Le Touquet
• 1993-94 - Hannover 96
• 1994-95 - UD Leiria
• 1994-95 - Ironi Ashdod (13/0)
• 1995-96 - S.C. Farense
• 1996 - Kansas City Wizards (30/2)
• 1997 - Kansas City Wizards (27/0)
• 1998 - Kansas City Wizards (22/0)
• 1999 - Kansas City Wizards (26/0)
• 2000 - Kansas City Wizards (14/0)

[edit] External references

• Nigerian Players

Nigeria squads v • d • e Nigeria squad – 1994 FIFA World Cup 1 Rufai • 2 Eguavoen • 3 Iroha • 4 Keshi • 5 Okechukwu • 6 Nwanu • 7 George • 8 Oliha • 9 Yekini • 10 Okocha • 11 Amuneke • 12 Siasia • 13 Ezeugo • 14 Amokachi • 15 Oliseh • 16 Agu • 17 Ikpeba • 18 Ekoku • 19 Emenalo • 20 Okafor • 21 Adepoju • 22 Agbonavbare • Coach: Westerhof 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