By Desmond Ekwueme

Awards/Laurels

•2002 : Top scorer 16 goals (Sharks)

•2003 : CAF Champions League and NPFL Winner (Enyimba)

•2004 : NPFL and FA Cup winner (Dolphins)

•2004 : MVP both League and FA Cup (Dolphins)

•2005 : CAF Confederation Cup Runner up. (Dolphins)

•2006 : FA Cup Winner (Dolphins)

•2006 : Top Scorer and MVP of the FA Cup. (Dolphins)

•2007 : FA Cup winner. (Dolphins)

•2007 : SWAN Player of the Year

•2009 : Most outstanding player in the NPFL (Sharks)

•2010 : WAFU Cup winner (Sharks)

•2013 : NPFL Player of the Decade (Enyimba)

Victor Okemka Ezeji is the most decorated footballer that ever graced the turf of the Nigerian domestic league.

One wonders why this Uzuakoli (Abia State) born Accountancy graduate from UNIPORT, isn’t on a major committee (say technical committee) of the NPFL

Ezeji was the first player to win the Top Scorer and Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards jointly in the NPFL.

Having excelled in the domestic front he took his game abroad for more exploits. Ezeji joined Tunisian club, Club Africain in 2008 and returned 12 months later due to unavoidable family challenges.

He featured for Sharks of Port Harcourt, Eagle Cement (Dolphins), Enyimba, Sunshine Stars and Heartland FC during his 20-year spell in the NPFL.

A brilliant left-footer who reminds all of Croatian great forward, Davor Suker, Ezeji is skillful, sleek and sizzling on the ball. He was most dangerous when not with the ball.

A team player who operates in almost every position upfront. This earned him leadership roles in clubs he featured for. He was indeed a leader and Captain Fantastic.

Ezeji had 11 caps with the Super Eagles scoring four goals. Perhaps he came too early. His time had great players in the team and he had to struggle to make an impact.

Players like Julius Aghahowa, Osaze Odemwingie, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Obafemi Martins, Victor Anichebe and Chinedu Obasi were in Super Eagles when Ezeji emerged but got muscled out by the presence of these players many of who were in Europe

However, Ezeji was a key member of the Super Eagles squad that had a memorable WAFU tournament at the Gateway Stadium Abeokuta under coach Samson Siasia.

He should be a key member of the technical or organising committee of the NPFL if really we are sincere with our football.

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