Victor Ezeji dedicates goal to Kingly mentor

When Dolphins of Port Harcourt attacker, Victor Ezeji scored Nigeria’s third goal against Egypt on Saturday he revealed a vest under neat his jersey with a portrait of the King of Bonny, King Edward Asimini Williams Dappa Pepple, Perekule 11th of Grand Bonny, whom he describes as his role model. Bonny is an Island close to Port Harcourt, rich in gas resources, and its young King, Edward Asimini Williams Dappa Pepple, is also an active footbaler.

According to Victor Ezeji, that was a planned method of celebrating goals since the King of Bonny is his role model and he has been celebrating goals that way for a long time.

“The King is my mentor and there is nothing I can do today that I would not first involve him,” Victor Ezeji told nigeriasports.com.

“I’m surprised you don’t know about my relationship with the King. He is my father. I wear it like that even in the league and give the shirts out to the crowd. Even when I was with Enyimba last season I used to do that after every match I play, and even give out such t-shirts to fans after games. He is my “oga” and I always acknowledge him in every thing I do.”

Victor Ezeji came in as a late substitute in the Athens 2004 Olympic Games Qualifying match against Egypt and powered home a rebound from an Endurance Idahor shot that ricocheted off the upright.

Ezeji celebrates his goal against Egypt
[photo alt="Victor Ezeji displays mentor's portrait" align=left]Ezeji[/photo]
“I feel great scoring that beautiful goal and for me to score with just few minutes to the end of the game, I take it as an excellent performance”

“The fact that the match was played in Port Harcourt also helped out as I was at home with the same fans I grew up with cheering me on,”

“When you play in front of your own crowd, you are spurred on to excel and impress every one around you. That additional drive to do things that you ordinarily would not do will also be there. It is like a drug propelling you to excel.”

“You know so many people before now had been praying for me and wishing me well as they came to watch training sessions, and have been pushing me to go ahead. So when I came off the bench and got that chance to score, I took it with all my heart.

Natural goal scorer

Goal Scoring has not been a difficult task for Victor since he began his league career with Dolphins in 1997.

His goals helped the club, then known as Eagle Cement to the league title and he played in the CAF Champions League in 1998.

Soon after Eagle Cement were relegated, he crossed over to neighbours, sharks of Port Harcourt, and was joint top scorer in the Nigerian league in 2002 with Sharks tying on 17 goals with Joetex Frimpong before crossing over to Enyimba last season.

Plans to score against Shooting

Victor Ezeji also told Nigeriasports.com that he hopes to do the same thing in Port Harcourt against Shooting stars on Wednesday since that will be his first game for Dolphins in the League this season.

“That is the dream of every striker, and the Shooting Stars match will not be an exception. I hope to score, I hope to display my mentor’s face, and I hope to give out T-shirts and most of all I hope Dolphins win on Wednesday.”

China Acheru