Dolphins FC v Sunshine Stars Match Preview

Kick Off: 4 pm, Nigerian Time

Date: Wednesday, 19 August 2015

Nigeria Professional Football League

Venue: Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt

TEAM NEWS

Festus Austin, Sunday Rotimi, Ayo Saka and Godbless Asamoah return to Dolphins’ match day squad for the game against Sunshine Stars in Port Harcourt.

Festus Austin served a one match suspension for the game against Warri Wolves because he had picked up five yellow cards while Sunday Rotimi served the last of his three match suspension for his red card against Nasarawa United.

Godbless Asamoah was in Ghana for his wedding ceremony and only just returned to Nigeria and Port Harcourt on Saturday.

Ayo Saka was given the match in Warri off to rest his troublesome knee that has slowed him down this season.

As a result, Joseph Onwuga, Ifeanyi Egwim, Ayobami Asekunowo and Ebuka Nnaebue were left out.

Omoh Johnson is still out with a hamstring injury suffered in Ilorin against Kwara United while Chiwendu Ali (ankle) and Igwe Nwosu (Crack on the shin) are other injury absentees for the team.

Victor Ezuruike tries to stop an Enyimba player in the League last season

MATCH FACTS

This fixture in Port Harcourt on Match Day 4 ended 2-1 in favour of Sunshine Stars after Chiwendu Ali put Dolphins ahead in the first half.

Dolphins have lost at home this season to Enyimba 3-1 and have failed to win 6 other games against Kwara (0-0), Warri Wolves (0-0), Sharks (1-1), Giwa (1-1), Wikki (1-1), Abia (1-1).

Dolphins form in last six matches

16/08 NPFL Warri Wolves A 1-0

09/08 NPFL Abia Warriors H 1 – 1

05/08 NPFL Kwara United A 2 – 1

02/08 NPFL Nasarawa United H 3 – 1

18/07 NPFL Nasarawa United A 1 – 0

15/07 NPFL Shooting Stars H 1 – 0

Head-to-head with Sunshine Stars FC

Premier League 2015

Sunshine Stars Dolphins 2:1 19.04.2015

Premier League 2014

Sunshine Stars Dolphins 0:0 17.08.2014

Dolphins Sunshine Stars 2:1 29.03.2014

Premier League 2013

Sunshine Stars Dolphins 3:0 11.08.2013

Dolphins Sunshine Stars 1:1 28.03.2013

Premier League 2012

Sunshine Stars Dolphins 1:0 13.06.2012

Dolphins Sunshine Stars 1:0 07.01.2012

Premier League 2011

Sunshine Stars Dolphins 3:2 23.10.2011

Dolphins Sunshine Stars 1:0 05.02.2011

Dolphins FC Match Day Squad

Godwin Ayalogu

Isiaka Olawale

Israel Abia

Joseph Douhadji

Victor Ezuruike

Christian Weli

Ebitimi Agogo

Chigozie Ihunda

Godwin Obinze

Oghogho Oduokpe

Chidiebere Okolie

Onyekachi Akakem

Jonathan Zikiye

Festus Austin

Sunday Rotimi

Ayo Saka

Godbless Asamoah

Daniel Victor

African Dream Project At Great Challenge In Gambia

In the framework of a fruitful implementation of the African Dream Project and for the even administration of the project, Gambia Volleyball Federation has been continuously dialoging with the stakeholders i.e. NOC, Ministry of Youths and Sports and Ministry of Education to additionally inform them on the projects. The management team led by Project Director Bai Dodou Jallow met with stakeholders at the Sports council office last week

In his welcoming statements, Project Director Bai Dodou Jallow highlighted the activities undertaken during the first 4 months of the project. He said the project was launched officially in February but before that training had commenced at the centers in December 2014. He stated that the executive of Gambia volleyball federation had set up a management committee led by him with the assistance from the Treasurer and the Press officer of the Federation.

The management team runs the affairs and wellbeing of the participants and pays monthly inspection to all the centers. He told the meeting the implementation of the African Dream Project first quarter was a success as the Gambia was ranked among the 5 top in the 37 beneficiary nations across Africa, he laid down the minimal participation of girls as the biggest challenge.

“It is a commendable move and I must said I am impressed with the Gambia volleyball federation for the rapid change made in Gambian volleyball and this project is worthwhile,” Pascal Camara of the National Sports Council stated. He advises the federation to involve parents and keep monitoring the center coaches.

The development officer of National Sports Council Ebou Secka thanks the GVBF and applauded them for the steadfastness and commitment. “Government alone cannot do it so when National sporting associations/federation implements such projects they must be commended. You should start sending in your report so that we can file them in your file and we will read them at the National assembly,” Secka advised.

“The involvement of National assembly members, politicians, communities, schools and parents is important and will help in the validation process.” The treasurer of Gambia Volleyball federation Marie Wadda also expressed similar sentiments.

Meanwhile the president of Gambia Volleyball Federation Yunusa Barry has reaffirmed his continuous support to the African Dream project. He advised the coaches to strategize their plans and make good use of the project to train and equip the kids on the basics of the game. “The dream Project is a pilot project of FIVB President Dr Ary Graca and Gambia is among the few countries in Africa that benefited from it so is a pride as well as a challenge so we should work hard,” Barry said.

He made this remarks on Saturday at Center one training ground in Banjul where he paid a courtesy call on the project management team.

He acknowledged his Federation’s willingness to promote grass root volleyball. ‘’ I want to see every school going Gambian kid playing volleyball and that is the goal of Dr Ary Graca FIVB president, that’s why he is funding this project. He dreams to see one day an African Volleyball team on the gold medal Podium at the World Level so we should make him to see that and God willing it will be Gambia.

Muhammed L Saidykhan

Cowrie RFC Crowned 2014/2015 Southwest Rugby League Champions…

Defending champion, Cowrie RFC needed just a draw to retain their title for the 4th consecutive year with Gosar RFC standing between them and the 2014/2015 South West Rugby league title, but it only took Sam Ekpo 14th minutes to register their intention as he evaded all opponents to open scoring with Azeez Ladipo converting the resulting kick to open a 7 point lead in the league sponsored by CMB Building Maintenance & Investment Co. Ltd.

Former national team captain who doubles as a player/coach for Gosar RFC scored a brilliant penalty kick from just a little way off the half way line in the 32nd minute to reduce the deficit to 4 point, Nigerian international, Onor Jato scored another try for Cowrie RFC with usual suspect Azeez Ladipo adding another 2 points to take the scores to 14 points to 3 heading into half time.

Christain Ogar of Cowrie Rugby Club in Action

The second half was all about Nigeria Rugby speed sensation, Christian Ogar who scored 2 trys, ani Halilu and Afeez Ayinla also weighed in with a try each with Azeez Ladipo coverting 3 try conversions to ensure that the game ended 40 points to 3 in Cowrie RFC’s favor. The result sealed Cowrie RFC’s as 2014/2015 South West Rugby league champions.

In the 2nd match of the day between relegation threatened Eco II and Royal Stallions of Ilorin, the game started well as both sides settled down to play their individual patterns and it was Eco II who drew the 1st blood despite Royal Stallions dictating the play through Samson Okeowo who scored a try and registered the conversion to open up a 7 points lead for his team.

The lead never lasted for long with Royal Stallions bouncing back with a try of their own through Sunday Olawale and Ife Ibitaye converted the kick to tie the score, Samson Okeowo again scored a penalty kick for his team to give the relegation threatened Eco II a lifeline.

With little time to play in the 1st half, Samson Olawale registered his second try of the game.

Eco II RFC

Eco II’s relegation status from the CMB Building Maintenance & Investment Co. Ltd league was confirmed with just 6 minutes into the 2nd half, as Sunday Olawale registred his 3rd try to extended their lead to 17 points to 10 with their opponents struggling to find their bearing under the light rain.

A new record was set in the South West Rugby league in the 3rd game of the day between Police RFC and Racing RFC, the game ended 0-0, the match had so much at stake with both teams battling for 2nd spot and a place in the national final playoffs.

Despite the game turning out to be interesting and tough, both sides failed to make any try or penalty conversion in the tension soaked match, this result means Police RFC still occupies the 2nd spot and Racing in 3rd, heading into the last game of the league sponsored CMB Building Maintenance & Investment Co. Ltd

Similarly, on Saturday, Zaria RFC hosted the famous Lilliker tournament with 4 teams competing in the 1 day championship.

In the 1st game, host Zaria RFC defeated Sabon Gari RFC by 3nil to book their place in the finals while Barewa RFC made mince of Kaduna RFC by 7 unreplied points in the second game of the championship that has witnessed a lot of improvements regarding players’ attitude and officiating.

With most people tipping Zaria RFC to win this year’s tournament as the host, it was a different ball game as Barewa RFC defeated the host 3nil to emerge the 2015 champion in front of an impressive crowd and some board members of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation