Ejiogwu enters Nigerian football folklore

Chijoke Ejiogu popularly called Arugo Monkey has become the most successful player in the Nigeria FA Cup after he won his sixth winners’ medal with Heartland yesterday.

  

Heartland defeated Lobi Stars 2-1 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos on Sunday to retain the trophy they also won last year and in the process goalkeeper Ejiogu has now emerged as the most successful player in the 67-year-old cup competition.

  

Ejiogu, who was discovered featuring for Cinderella side FC Arugo in 1999, added the 2012 winners’ medal to his triumphs with Julius Berger (2002), Dolphin (2004, 2006 and 2007) and Enyimba (2009).

Before the 2012 final, Ejiogu was at par with former Shooting Stars legend Segun Odegbami on a record of five cup triumphs.

The highlight of this year’s competition for ‘Arugo Monkey’ was in the semi-finals when he saved from the penalty spot as Heartland stopped giant killers Prime FC 3-0 on penalties after full time scores stood at 0-0.

  

Ejiogu was yet again modest in his penalty-stopping exploit.