DOLPHINS GRAB VITAL POINT IN ENUGU

Dolphins grabbed a point in Enugu after their encounter against Rangers International ended 1-1.

Dolphins went ahead in the 9th minute through Godbless Asamoah.

Oghogho Oduokpe got a pass from Isiaka Olawale and tried to shake off Okey Odita then shot from distance.

Rangers’ goalkeeper, Akor Itodo parried the ball onto the path of Asamoah who scored at his second time of asking.

On 22 minutes, Evans Iyoro sped past Festus Austin and was pulled down by the Dolphins captain who received a yellow card.

The resultant free kick was headed home by Iyoro for the equalizer.

Seven minutes later Ebitimi Agogu found space in the Rangers’ six yard box but shot the ball at Akor who gratefully punched clear.

Agogu was yellow carded a minute later for dissent.

Just before the half time break, Asamoah injured himself in a challenge with Okey Odita and was taken off for Israel Abia.

A minute into the 2nd half Festus Austin pulled down Rasaq Adegbite and was sent off for a second bookable offence and Ebitimi Agogu was sacrificed, with Cyril Oriaku coming in to shore up the defence.

Rasaq Adegbite had the best chance to win the game for Rangers in the 74th minute when he beat the Dolphins’ offside trap and chipped onrushing goalkeeper, Ayalogu.

Isiaka Olawale, Dolphin fc

As the ball sailed in, former Rangers captain, Cyril Oriaku headed off the line.

Rangers coach, Imama Amapakabor said after the game that a lot of things went wrong for his side.

“Psychologically, we were down, the players got panicky because we have gone three games without a win and when Dolphins went one man down, the players just could not hold the ball and resorted to playing the long balls.

“All these things were part of our problems on the day,” Imama Amapakabor said.

Dolphins’ captain, Festus Austin, regretted his sending off but said he was optimistic before the game that they will get the point.

“Before the game I was optimistic we will get a point and we did. We have spoken to ourselves as players and all we can say is that we will not be relegated at the end of the season,” Austin said.

LMC Reschedules Fixtures For Dolphins, Pillars Continental Engagements

A circular from the League Management Company (LMC) has notified all clubs of some slight amendments to the 2014/15 schedule of the Glo Premier League and indicated that the Match Day 2 fixture between Abia Warriors and Dolphins would be played at a date to be announced later.

Dolphins FC were expected to have played away to Abia Warriors on Thursday, March 19 due to the continental engagement in Tunisia against Club Africain but have been directed to remain in Tunis by the Confederation of African Football pending a decision on their protest against a walk-over.

This has also affected the Match Day 3 fixture between Dolphins and Warri Wolves which have also been put on hold until when there is clarity in the continental fixtures of the Port Harcourt team.

Similarly, the Match Day 3 fixture between Shooting Stars and Kano Pillars have also been shelved as the league champions, Pillars have been directed by CAF to play their rescheduled CAF Champions League tie against their Moroccan opponents this Saturday, March 21.

Sharks FC will now host Akwa United at the Liberation Stadium in Port Harcourt as scheduled on Sunday March 22 and so will all other fixtures hold on Sunday, March 22 as originally scheduled.

ABIA WARRIORS PITCH SET FOR NEW SEASON

As the 2014/2015 Nigeria Professional Football League gets under way this weekend across the nation Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia say their newly renovated home ground is now ready to host Premier
League games in the Abia State capital.

Chairman of the club, Chief Emeka Inyama disclosed this after conducting members of the League Management Committee (LMC) inspection team round the Umuahia Township Stadium and the club’s ultra-modern secretariat in Umuahia.

Chief Inyama told the inspection team led by veteran sportswriter and CAF member, Paul Bassey that the club is run with the highest international standard, adding that the pitch was re-grassed and is now lush green to ensure quality and good football.

ABIA WARRIORS PITCH SET FOR NEW SEASON

According to him, Abia Warriors remain one of the few clubsides in the country that is not indebted to the players, officials and staff, promising that the standard will be sustained in the new season.

Responding, Paul Bassey expressed satisfaction with what they saw but insisted that the final approval will come from the LMC, based on their report.

Sports Bassey, as he is popularly called, commended the management of Abia Warriors for running a good team in its debut Premier League season and hoped they will not relent.

On the renovated pitch, the leader of delegation said he was satisfied with what they have seen but said there was still room for improvement.

“The inspection is an effort to put you people in shape. Most of the venues in Nigeria still lack the basic facilities. You may just qualify to represent Nigeria at the continental level, so we want to
prepare you in advance and give some advice. For our findings, we will not make it public, the LMC will decide. But I am happy with what I have seen. Some structures are in place some of them can be bettered, some improved but the basics are there, so it’s fine”, he told newsmen.