Chibuzor Okonkwo

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Chibuzor Okonkwo

| image =

| fullname = Chibuzor Augustine Okonkwo

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1988|12|16}}

| birth_place = Jos, Nigeria

| height = {{height|m=1.77|precision=0}}

| position = Defender

| currentclub = Kwara United

| clubnumber = 22

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 =

| years1 = 2004–2007

| clubs1 = Ifeanyi Ubah F.C.

| caps1 =

| goals1 =

| years2 = 2007–2010

| clubs2 = Bayelsa United

| years3 = 2010–2012

| clubs3 = Heartland

| years4 = 2012

| clubs4 = Enyimba International F.C.

| years5 = 2013

| clubs5 = Enugu Rangers

| caps5 =

| goals5 = 1

| years6 = 2013–2014

| clubs6 = Asswehly S.C.

| years7 = 2015–2017

| clubs7 = Ifeanyi Ubah F.C.

| years8 = 2017

| clubs8 = El-Kanemi Warriors F.C.

| years9 = 2017–

| clubs9 = Kwara United

| nationalyears1 = 2008

| nationalteam1 = Nigeria U-23

| nationalcaps1 = 5

| nationalgoals1 = 1

| nationalyears2 = 2010–

| nationalteam2 = Nigeria

| nationalcaps2 = 9

| nationalgoals2 = 0

| medaltemplates = {{MedalCountry|{{NGR}}}}

| ntupdate = 21 June 2013

}}

Chibuzor Augustine Okonkwo (born 16 December 1988) is a Nigerian footballer who currently plays as a full-back for Kwara United F.C. Although he is naturally right-footed, he can play on either side of the pitch.

Career

In January 2007, Okonkwo moved from Gabros International (now Ifeanyi Ubah F.C.) to Bayelsa United F.C.,{{Cite web |url=http://www.kickoffnigeria.com/static/news/article.php?id=2563 |title=Bayelsa, Gabros fought over Okonkwo |access-date=2008-09-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080909084207/http://www.kickoffnigeria.com/static/news/article.php?id=2563 |archive-date=2008-09-09 |url-status=dead }} where he won the 2008–09 League MVP award after helping Bayelsa win their first ever league title.http://www.kickoff.com/static/news/article.php?id=10549{{Dead link|date=November 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} On 6 October 2009, Okonkwo signed for Heartland F.C.[http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/sports/article01//indexn3_html?pdate=061009&ptitle=Amodu%20rues%20Uche%27s%20absence,%20as%2030%20Eagles%20begin%20camping&cpdate=061009 Amodu rues Uche's absence, as 30 Eagles begin camping]{{Dead link|date=July 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The deal fell through however and he returned to Bayelsa. On 23 August 2010, he was to move to Russian Premier side FC Rostov. But the deal was eventually quashed due to disagreement over wages. He returned home to sign for Heartland, where his mentor Samson Siasia was in charge. In December 2011, it was reported that he attended trial at Aston Villa Football Club. He trialed with Reading F.C. in January 2012, appearing in a reserve team fixture against Watford.{{cite web|title=Reading Did Not Offer CHIBUZOR OKONKWO A Contract|url=http://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=6293|website=www.allnigeriasoccer.com/|publisher=All Nigeria Soccer|accessdate=8 December 2015|date=29 January 2012}}

At the end of February 2012, Okonkwo completed a medical and was close to agreeing terms with Vålerenga Fotball, but as of the end of April 2012 was still contracted to Heartland. He signed on 22 November 2012 a two-year deal with Enyimba International F.C.,{{Cite web|url=http://www.soccerpress.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1337:npl-transfers-in-full-swing&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=27|title=Welcome soccerpress.net - BlueHost.com|website=www.soccerpress.net|language=en|access-date=2018-05-14|archive-date=8 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121208081737/http://www.soccerpress.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1337:npl-transfers-in-full-swing&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=27|url-status=dead}} but the deal fell through and he signed with rivals Rangers in February 2013.{{Cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-gh/news/4351/africa/2013/04/17/3909940/chibuzor-okonkwo-happy-with-his-first-goal-for-enugu-rangers|title=Chibuzor Okonkwo happy with his first goal for Rangers {{!}} Goal.com|website=www.goal.com|language=en|access-date=2018-05-14}} In August 2013, he signed a short-term deal with Asswehly in Libya.{{Cite web |url=http://www.mtnfootball.com/africa/nigeria/premier-league/news/2013/aug/27-chibuzor-okonkwo-joins-libyan-club.html |title=Okonkwo joins Libyan club |access-date=13 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213030003/http://www.mtnfootball.com/africa/nigeria/premier-league/news/2013/aug/27-chibuzor-okonkwo-joins-libyan-club.html |archive-date=13 December 2013 |url-status=dead }} He rejoined FC Ifeanyi Ubah ahead of the 2015 Nigerian season and helped the promoted club win the Nigeria National League Super Four.{{Cite web |url=http://mtnfootball.com/news/513487/Gabros-clinch-NNL-Super-4 |title=Gabros clinch NNL Super 4 - Nigeria National League 2014 - Kwara United - Chibuzor Okonkwo |access-date=28 February 2015 |archive-date=2 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150302052301/http://mtnfootball.com/news/513487/Gabros-clinch-NNL-Super-4 |url-status=dead }} He moved to El-Kanemi Warriors F.C. in 2017{{Cite web |url=http://scorenigeria.com.ng/2017/04/21/ex-olympic-star-chibuzor-okonkwo-joins-el-kanemi-after-hes-frozen-out-at-fc-ifeanyiubah/ |title=Ex-Olympic star Chibuzor Okonkwo joins el Kanemi after he's frozen out at FC Ifeanyiubah | SCORE NIGERIA |access-date=8 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210020228/http://scorenigeria.com.ng/2017/04/21/ex-olympic-star-chibuzor-okonkwo-joins-el-kanemi-after-hes-frozen-out-at-fc-ifeanyiubah/ |archive-date=10 December 2017 |url-status=usurped }} and transferred to Kwara United in 2018.

International career

Was member of Nigeria U-23 team for 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=296290/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080811121319/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=296290/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 August 2008|title=FIFA Tournaments - Players & Coaches - Chibuzor OKONKWO|website=FIFA.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-05-14}} He was added to the Super Eagles' list for friendlies in April 2009, the first Nigeria-based player to earn a callup since Shaibu Amodu became coach,{{Cite web |url=http://www.kickoff.com/static/news/article.php?id=8051 |title=Kick off - South Africa |access-date=24 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090427123908/http://www.kickoff.com/static/news/article.php?id=8051 |archive-date=27 April 2009 |url-status=dead }} but was unable to travel due to visa problems.[http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/sports/article01//indexn3_html?pdate=090509&ptitle=Chibuzor%20Okonkwo:%20On%20A%20Mission%20To%20Conquer%20For%20Home-Based%20Eagles&cpdate=090509 Chibuzor Okonkwo: On A Mission To Conquer For Home-Based Eagles]{{Dead link|date=July 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

He finally made his Nigeria debut on 3 March 2010, starting at right back in the 5–2 home win over Congo DR.