Family and friends of Enugu Rangers International FC Player, Emeka Eze, joined him on the occasion of the presentation of the Glo Premier League Wonder Goal Award at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium at which he thanked the family for supporting his career and the League Management Company (LMC) for innovations in the league.

Eze’s goal against Kano Pillars on Match Day 5 had secured 51.6 per cent of the voting by fans to beat Sunshine Star’s Cletus Itodo whose goal for Abia Warriors against Enyimba International got 41.9 per cent of the votes. The third nominee, Chikatara Chisom also of Abia Warriors had 6.5 per cent of the votes.

Eze received the award prize money and plaque of honour from former national team captain, Christian Chukwu and said he was dedicating it to his family members, especially the parents who supported him through school and in building a football career.

“I come from a family of sports people…my father is a retired Referee, my mother won medals in Athletics at the National Sports Festival in Ilorin while my sister is very active in volleyball and my only brother is showing potentials to do better than I have done so far. They are the source of my strength and motivation to succeed”, Eze stated in a voice that was calm but emotional.

The player, who will be 22 in December, and is a graduate of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) with a degree in Management Science, is undergoing the compulsory National Youth Service Corps scheme at Rangers.

Eze was signed over to Rangers International from an Enugu-based academy, FC Inter Academy, four seasons ago and he also expressed appreciation to the Management of Rangers International for accommodating his academics with the job.

“Rangers Management have been very supportive, permitting me to face school when the time arises and accepting to have me perform my national service”, said the player who captained the Flying Antelopes on the day.

While announcing that the Red Cross Society Motherless Babies Home, Enugu as his chosen Charity to donate 50 per cent of his prize money, Eze commended the League Management Company (LMC) for instituting the award.

“This is the first big and national award I will ever win and it means so much to me and the entire family because it shows that the encouragement they have provided is yielding dividends. My appreciation goes to the LMC for this award and I commend them for all the innovations that has been introduced in the league,” the defensive midfield player said.

He is the second to win the award after his Rangers team mate, Osaguona Ighodaro who won the inaugural award.

Story and pictures are courtesy League Management Company