VAT Wonder Goal: Ogbugh scores hat trick of wins

Rivers United’s Emeka Ogbugh has emerged the first player to win the VAT Wonder Goal award in three seasons following his polling of over 48 percent of the votes cast.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the votes were cast by fans for the Match Day 15 shortlisted goals.
The League Management Company which made the disclosure on Friday, said that Ogbugh defeated Rangers International’s Ajani Ibrahim, Lobi Stars Umar Zango, Sunshine Stars Sunday Emmanuel and Junior Lokosa of Kano Pillars.
LMC said: “Ogbugh for the third time won the weekly award which attracted 327 votes and got the highest number of polls opened on Monday and closed at midnight on Thursday.
“Ogbugh polled a total of 170 votes or 51.9 percent for his goal against Heartland FC of Owerri in Rivers United’s 2-0 defeat of the club where he began his professional football career in 2012.
“Ajani came second with 60 votes, Lokosa had 39 votes, Zango picked 32 and Emmanuel completed the polls with 26 votes.
“Ogbugh first won the award while playing for Heartland in the 2015/2016 season and won his second last season with Rivers United.’’
The statement added that the footage of the goal showed Ogbugh receiving a pass five minutes into the second half way into the opponent’s side, and in a deft move, swerved away from two defenders to unleash a rasping shot that beat goalkeeper Japhet Opubo.
Ogbugh said: “The player who studied at the Imo State University while playing for Heartland said that he refused to celebrate the goal because of his emotional attachment to the Owerri-based club.
“I got my break in professional football from this club (Heartland) but as a Rivers United player, I had a duty to help my club which I did by scoring the goal.’’
The statement said that Ogbugh would be presented the ceremonial award plaque during the Rivers United versus Kwara United Match Day 17 fixture at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
It said: “The prize money of N150,000 will be shared equally between the player and a charity he will nominate.
“The VAT Wonder Goal was introduced in the Nigeria Professional Football League by the LMC.
The initiative is supported by the Federal Inland Revenue Services to strengthen club and community engagement and also create awareness for tax payment within the football community.”