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 organize a state reception to honor 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 acknowledge 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.
“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) came out 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.
“In as much as the Rivers state government has gone on to splash real money on them for coming out second they should do all they can to come out first.
“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.”
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.
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 a team NPFL.
Ezeji is on record as the only player to have played twenty seasons in Nigeria’s top flight a feat which has earned him the accolade “Legend”.
