EZEJI SALUTES FC IFEANYI UBAH, RIVERS ANGELS

Nigeria league legend Victor Ezeji has congratulated FC Ifeanyi Ubah and Rivers Angels for winning the 2016 Federation Cup final.

FC Ifeanyi Ubah won its first trophy as a club after it beat Nasarawa Utd 5-4 on penalties following a goalless draw at the Teslim Balogun Stadium Lagos on Sunday, while Rivers Angels emerged Female champions after beating Bayelsa Queens 5-3 on penalties after a one all draw.

Ezeji witnessed the final first hand, as he was on duty as a pitch side analyst with Supersport Television.

The league legend saluted both winners for their determination and courage which saw them make it to the football show piece and also emerge champions.

FC IFEANYI UBAH

Discipline and determination is what brings you to this level and both teams have shown they have that in abundance.

Speaking from experience I can tell you it is never easy getting to any final in Nigeria as there are always lots of challenges. To get beyond such challenges and emerge the best is thus never easy.

I salute their courage and determination and hope they can build on this success to achieve more in the future.

Victor Ezeji

Ezeji was a winner of the F.A Cup (as the Federation Cup was previously called) in 2004, 2006 and 2007 while he played for the then Dolphins FC.

He is now retired from active football and the world awaits his much publicized testimonial game which is billed to take place this December in Port Harcourt.

Rivers United Must Win Nigeria Professional Football League Next Season – Ezeji

Rivers United must win the Nigeria Professional Football League next season, if they are to repay the gesture of the Rivers State government who went on to organise a state reception to honour the team despite finishing second in the just concluded league season.

Formers Sharks FC and Dolphins Football Club hitman, Victor Ezeji speaking in Port Harcourt, says winning the league would be the only way to repay the state government for its gesture towards the club which also saw players and officials pick up cash gifts and awards from the state government.

Ezeji acknowledged the state’s government monetary reward and hosting of the team to a dinner was surprising and sees it as nothing but a charge for the team to do better, as second place has never been rewarded in the state previously.

Rivers United

“This is the first time in the history of Rivers State that a team comes out second and there is a reception for them” he said.

“I can remember vividly in 2005 we (Dolphins FC) finished second on the continent, that’s talking about the CAF Confederations Cup and nothing of such happened”.

“For a team to have come out second and the state government has come out to say you guys have done well, I think they are just trying to encourage them to do more” he added.

Ezeji says Rivers United has therefore been left no choice but to emerge champions of the league or at least win laurels in the next season.

“The players too should in turn know that in life to whom so ever much is given, much is also expected.

“I think what the Rivers state government has done is the height of encouragement for this boys, it is the height of motivation. They have to go all out, no excuses whatsoever, to doing well in the next season.”

Rivers United Coach, Stanley Eguma

Asides United Coach Stanley Eguma who was given one million naira, players of Rivers United have received five hundred thousand naira each and the club has been promised a training tour in Madrid, Spain by the state Governor, Barr. Nyesom Wike ahead of next season’s CAF Champions League.

Also, Ezeji who only recently announced his intention to stage a testimonial match after a twenty year playing career, (which included huge spells at Sharks and Dolphins) expressed gratitude to the Rivers State Government for its pledged support of his upcoming testimonial.

Victor Ezeji

The Victor Ezeji Testimonial is scheduled to hold on the 10th of December at the Liberation Stadium in Port Harcourt and is expected to feature a match between a team ‘Friends of Victor’ and team NPFL.

Ezeji is the only player to have played twenty seasons in Nigeria’s top flight a feat which has earned him the accolade “Legend”.

Victor Ezeji supports Brown Ideye Challenge

Nigerian League legend, Victor Ezeji will support Greece based striker, Brown Ideye’s football tournament, The Brown Ideye Challenge.

Late on Tuesday afternoon, Ezeji, speaking to the chairman of the Local Organising Committee for the competition, China Acheru signified his desire to support what Ideye is doing for the youth of Rivers State.

“I read about it via social media and I must say I am impressed at what he is doing,” Ezeji said.

“It’s a noble venture and though I must say, he is not the only foreign based footballer to do it, but we must still give him credit because he has remembered his start to greatness in football and who knows how many players from this tournament will end up as big stars in the future?

Victor Ezeji supports Brown Ideye Challenge

“I will support whatever Brown Ideye is doing in whatever way I can and I will be there for the opening match as well and any other game I can watch leading to the final,” Ezeji promised.

The Brown Ideye Challenge is a football tournament that starts on the 4th of May and will run for one month.

It will be competed for amongst sixteen teams and registration began on Saturday, April 23 and closes on Saturday, April 30.

The draws come up on Monday, May 2 with the opening match to be played two days later.

Sixteen teams will be divided into four groups two from each group will qualify for the first knock out round.