One of Nigeria’s most accomplished and long-serving players in the domestic scene, Victor Ezeji, tells ’TANA AIYEJINA in this interview about his illustrious career and more
Having played over 18 years in the domestic league, what are your impressions about Nigerian football?
From my perspective, the game has improved compared to what we had when I started playing in the league. But we need to improve on many things. When I started, things were not like this but if we had improved on what we had then, we probably would not have been where we are now. The league should have been far better than it is now.
What areas need improvement?
Maybe we need to improve on the administration because the league is not properly organised. Football is not just about a player’s ability on the pitch. If we had a properly organised league, Nigerian football would achieve more. It’s my personal opinion. I believe we can get there with the right people in the right places.
Do you think our league can compare with those in North Africa and South Africa, which are the best on the continent?
Not at all. The only way we can compare with these other leagues is the raw talents that abound in Nigeria. We have an amazing number of talents at our disposal. The North Africans are not better than us in terms of players but their leagues are better organised. It’s the same thing with South Africa. But they are far ahead and better than us. Over here, it’s a different ball game. These countries don’t have the money we have but they have structures in place. There is sponsorship money and there are facilities there comparable to the best in the world but majority of our clubs are run by the government.
If you say the Tunisian league is better than what we have in Nigeria, why then did you leave there after just one season at Club Africain?
I had a three-year contract with Club Africain but I had domestic problems back home that needed to be solved. I just got married then and in less than three months, I was away from home. All I wanted was a loan back to a Nigerian club but they (Club Africain) were adamant. I still don’t regret leaving them after just a season because I returned home and I was able to solve the problem on ground.
Having played for some of Nigeria’s biggest sides and winning laurels, which club did you have the best time?
I will tell you this: my best time was while at Dolphins not minding the fact I won the CAF Champions League with Enyimba. I won so many awards as a player at Dolphins.
How did you feel helping Enyimba win the CAF Champions League for Nigeria in 2003, a trophy that had eluded the country for decades?
I think it was our time to win the CAF Champions League. If you look at Enyimba then, everybody was in one national team or the other. We had players in the U-20, U-23 and the Super Eagles. Even the foreigners in the team were also playing for their countries. Then, we had an experienced coach in Kadiri Ikhana and a wonderful governor, Orji Kalu. He was highly motivational, he gave us all we needed and we were so relaxed. That was why we were able to come back after losing 6-1 to Ismaily in our first group game to win the trophy for the first time.
After that 6-1 defeat to Ismaily, most people didn’t give Enyimba any chance of winning the trophy. What went wrong in that game?
I don’t think anything went wrong. We had a good run in the qualification series before we advanced to the group stage. We didn’t lose any game and we were winning our matches home and away. We thought we were on top of the world. Honestly, we felt we had arrived. So, when we lost 6-1 to Ismaily in Egypt, it was a wake-up call. It was that game that gave us a turn around.
How did the team manage to get itself back to beat Ismaily in the final to claim a historic first title for Nigeria?
They (Ismaily) thought that since they had beaten us 6-1 in the group stage, they would be able to beat us again in the final. We won the final first leg 2-0 but they felt they could beat us by a bigger margin in the return leg and claim the trophy. But they were shocked; they saw a different Enyimba on the day. They managed to score a goal in 90 minutes and that was how we became champions. But they were not happy and started throwing things into the stadium. None of us was injured though.
How did Orji Kalu reward the team?
I think after the 1980 Green Eagles were given a 504 car each for winning the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time, we were about the next set of players in a team to be given cars as reward for winning the CAF Champions League. He (Kalu) gave us brand new KIA Rio cars each.
You won the domestic league and FA Cup double with Dolphins in 2002/03…
Yes, I moved over to Dolphins from Enyimba and I won the league and FA Cup double, I was named the Most Valuable Player in the league and the FA Cup. Things went so well for me. It’s difficult to achieve such, even in Europe. People were wondering why I left Enyimba after winning the Champions League but at Dolphins, I had a great time winning everything at home. That is why I said earlier that Dolphins is the best club I have played for.
In the 2001/02 season, you were also joint top scorer in the league with Joetex Frimpong, with 17 goals. How did you achieve that?
I worked very hard that year and I was banging in goals but towards the end of the season, I got injured and couldn’t play more matches. So, Joetex caught up with me but it was a fantastic season for me.
People refer to you as Nigeria’s Ryan Giggs, having played for over 18 years in the Nigerian league and scoring in each season you have played just like the Welsh star. Do you think you share any similarity with the Manchester United midfielder?
I think the only similarity we share is that we are both left-footed and he has scored in every season he has played, just like me. But he is not my role model. I have always looked up to the Brazilian Romario. He was a great player.
You are an accounting graduate from the University of Port Harcourt. How were you able to combine football and education?
It was really challenging. All my elder brothers were in higher institutions and my parents said I had to go to school as well. I gained admission into the university, when I was invited to play for Sharks. But my parents made it clear that there was the need to balance education with any other endeavour I was involved in. It was very difficult but then Sharks chairman, Adokiye Amiesimaka, was very helpful. He faced the same challenge during his time as a player. He was so supportive; he was there for me and that made things so easy. I also had support from my lecturers, course mates and teammates.
Why do players find it difficult to combine education and football?
I have said it repeatedly that it’s possible to achieve both. All they need is focus and they won’t regret it. You can’t play football forever. Education is key because after the game, you will need your education to pursue other things.
Will you pursue a career in accounting after you quit football?
I don’t know yet. I will wait till then.
You seem to enjoy playing in Port Harcourt but there have been complaints by players that they are oftentimes extorted by the city’s fans. Is this true?
I don’t think it is true. Most times, these boys (fans) are their friends. I see most of the players hanging out with these fans. So, I don’t think there is anything like that.
Can you recall your Nigeria debut?
It was against Angola in a Nations Cup qualifier in Luanda in 2002. The match ended 0-0. I was a young player just coming up. I got to camp and I scored a hattrick in a friendly game and that impressed the coach. I played eight times for Nigeria, scoring four goals. I scored my first goal against Namibia in a friendly game.
Did you notice anything like mafia in the national camp?
I don’t have to say what I don’t know. There was nothing like that whenever I was invited.
Who is the toughest defender you played against?
It is Kennedy Okogba, then with Iwuanyanwu Nationale. He has always been a problem. He was a very fast player, who played in virtually all the positions. I used to have difficulties playing against him.
What are your best and worst moments?
My best moment was when we lifted the CAF Champions League in Egypt while my worst was in 2004 when I was captain of the U-23 national team that failed to qualify for the football event of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. We lost to Tunisia but all we needed was a draw. I was not happy about that.
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