The longest serving Nigerian player in the local league, the legendary Victor Ezeji, has finally hanged his boot from active football after playing in the country’s league for 20 progressive seasons.
Ezeji emerged not only as a distinguished professional, but also the most decorated domestic player with laurels in his trophy cabinet from the league and Cup competitions.
In 2003, he also won the CAF Champions League with Enyimba.
After announcing his retirement last year, Ezeji was forced to make a volte-face by the League Management Company (LMC) who allowed him sign on a short-term contract with Heartland, exploring the elite players’ scheme in the top-flight rule.
Interestingly, he scored a goal against one of his former teams, Dolphins.
“The time has come for me to finally hang my boots,” Ezeji said.
The former Nigerian international, who graduated from the prestigious University of Port Harcourt with a degree in Accountancy, is one of the few footballers who successfully combined education with professional football.
Ezeji is also the only Nigerian to win the 2007 Nigerian Cup top scorer and Most Valuable Player awards, a feat he achieved when it was called the Coca-Cola FA Cup.
In 2008, he left for Tunisia, where he spent a season with Club Africain and returned to the country to continue his career a year later.
Ezeji’s achievements are rare in the modern era. On Wednesday, he will address the media, in Lagos, on his retirement.
In recognition of his achievements, Nigeria’s foremost league awards, the League Bloggers Awards (LBA) named him brand ambassador, in 2013.
Ezeji played for top sides like Eagle Cement (now Dolphins), Sharks, Enyimba, Sunshine Stars and Heartland.
