Dolphins Sink Deeper Into Relegation Zone

Dolphins sank deeper into relegation zone as they failed to beat FC Ifeanyi Ubah in Port Harcourt on Sunday.

Dolphins’ players seemed uninterested in the game from start to finish and it seemed the visitors were the ones who needed a result more.

Omoh Johnson, Oghogho Oduokpe and Chiwendu Ali in attack for Dolphins didn’t cause the visitors much trouble all game long.

The first half had just two clear cut chances; in the 15th minute when Sunday Rotimi did well to tip and Austin Oladapo freekick for corner and a minute later when Christian Weli freed Oghogho Oduokpe but his lame effort was saved by Edwin Nwakanma in goal for the visitors.

Chiwendu Ali would have had a chance to put Dolphins a goal up in the 24th minute after Christian Weli dribbled his way in to the box and found him in space. He didn’t time his volley well and his miskick was as awful as they come.

In the 2nd half, Omo Johnson, Ifeanyi Egwim and Christian Weli had offers to put their names on the score sheet but turned them down.

Johnson ran at the defence in the 56th minute but and shot at goal but Nwakanma saved; in the 65th, Christian Weli had a pop but it sailed wide even though half the ground thought it was in; and in the 79th minute, Ifeanyi Egwim who had come in for Chiwendu Ali had a shot from distance but the keeper parried for a corner that was wasted.

FC Ifeanyi Ubah then adopted time wasting tactics until the game ran its course.

Stanley Eguma of Dolphins blamed the players for not giving their all.

“It wasn’t a good game and I am not surprised because the players did not live up to expectations.

Godbless Asamoah in action for Dolphins vs Giwa fc in a Glo NPFL match

“I attribute it to their non-challant attitude towards the game and that is why I say the team is not prepared psychologically,” Eguma said

John Obuh of FC Ifeanyi Ubah said his side were determined to get a result.

“We knew we had to get something on the road when you consider our recent poor home form,” Obuh said.

Dolphins will be on the road to Giwa FC in a Match Day 33 fixture.

Lobi Stars v Dolphins Preview

Lobi Stars v Dolphins

Kick Off: 4 pm, Nigerian Time

Date: Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Nigeria Professional Football League

Venue: Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi

Dolphins Fc

Team News

Ghanaian import, Wilson Andoh may get his first start for Dolphins in Makurdi against Lobi Stars on Wednesday.

Andoh, who is an attacker, formerly played for Blessing Soccer Academy in Ghana and was among thirteen players signed in mid-season to beef up the team.

Ifeanyi Egwim lost his fitness battle once again after coming on as a second half substitute in the last game against Akwa United. He is out of this one.

However, Chiwendu Ali who last featured for Dolphins on Match Day 15 against El Kanemi in Katsina has returned.

He had been out with an ankle injury ever since and only returned to training two weeks ago.

Match Facts

When both sides met in Port Harcourt, Dolphins won 2-0 with goals from Sochuma Elum and Jonathan Zikiye.

Dolphins are yet to win any game on the road this season but have drawn four times, 2-2 against Bayelsa United in Oghara, 1-1 against FC Taraba in Jalingo, 2-2 against Kano Pillars in Kano and 1-1 against Enugu Rangers in Enugu.

In their last four meetings at Lobi, Dolphins have only been able to score one goal; in the 2-1 loss in 2011.

Head to head

NPFL 5/3/2015 Dolphins FC PH 2-0 Lobi Stars

NPFL 11/16/2014 Lobi Stars 1-0 Dolphins FC PH

NPFL 5/31/2014 Dolphins FC PH 3-1 Lobi Stars

NPFL 10/12/2013 Dolphins FC PH 1-0 Lobi Stars

NPFL 6/5/2013 Lobi Stars 1-0 Dolphins FC PH

NPFL 8/1/2012 Dolphins FC PH 0-2 Lobi Stars

NPFL 3/18/2012 Lobi Stars 2-0 Dolphins FC PH

NPFL 7/10/2011 Lobi Stars 2-1 Dolphins FC PH

NPFL 1/15/2011 Dolphins FC PH 1-0 Lobi Stars

NPFL 2/20/2010 Dolphins FC PH 1-0 Lobi Stars

Dolphins Match Day squad

Dolphins fc

Chidiebere Okolie

Wilson Andoh

Godwin Ayalogu

Chigozie Ihunda

Jonathan Zikiye

Godwin Obinze

Festus Austin

Isiaka Olawale

Oghogho Oduokpe

Christian Weli

Ebitimi Agogu

Sunday Rotimi

Onyekachi Akakem

Ebuka Nnaebue

Ayobami Asekunowo

Joseph Douhadji

Chiwendu Ali

Omoh Johnson

Dolphins End League First Round On A Low

Dolphins failed to build on their 1-0 win over Shooting Stars on Wednesday as they fell in Makurdi to Nasarawa United.

Dolphins started well, missing a flurry of chances through Chiwendu Ali, who shot wide from outside the box, Omoh Johnson, whose tame effort was save by the goalkeeper and Godbless Asamoah.

The home side also got into the groove midway in the first half as the trio of Esosa Igbinoba, Leonard Ugochukwu and Philip Auta put the Dolphins defence on their toes.

With the first half ending goaless, Nasarawa United started the second on a high with forays into the Dolphins box.

Their efforts paid off in the 54th minute when Esosa Igbinoba went past Dolphins captain, Festus Austin and his cross was tapped in by Leonard Ugochukwu for the first and only goal of the game.

Stanley Eguma threw in Ifeanyi Egwim for Omoh Johnson and Daniel Victor for Chiwendu Ali but the fortunes of Dolphins did not change.

Dolphins next travel to Ado Ekiti for a mid-week encounter against Niger Tornadoes Feeders in the Federation Cup Round of 16.

Eguma Explains Use Of Youngsters At Dolphins

Dolphins coach, Stanley Eguma has come out to explain the recent use of young players in the team this season.

Dolphins signed a couple of young players, like Chiwendu Ali from Go Round FC, Daniel Victor from Yobo Academy, Igwe Nwosu and Tobins Zikalla from the feeder team as well as Sochuma Elum from Abuja’s Dynamic Africa Stars Academy.

Dolphins Coach: Stanley Eguma

Eguma says his decision to use young players this season is not because the club is cash strapped.

“It is just to sustain the team and ensure we develop football to the grassroots. It is also to ensure continuity and has nothing to do with our finances,” Eguma said.

“It is a collective aim to ensure we develop the youths in the club and ensure these players are nurtured to play on the professional level.

“These lads were promoted to the main team and registered for the league, about six to eight of them who have not played in the league before and they can now do so.”

Chiwendu Ali joined Dolphins from Go Round FC

Eguma added that he tried to give the youth the opportunity because they have worked so hard in recent times.

“We decided to give them this opportunity because they have proven themselves over the years and have shown that they have what it takes.

“The only way we can build them is to give them this opportunity,” Eguma said.

Its Time For Dolphins To Move Up The Log, Says Eguma…,

Dolphins coach, Stanley Eguma insists it is time for his side to move up the log.

Following their draw in Oghara yesterday against Bayelsa United, Stanley Eguma first regretted the two points dropped saying it is a game his side should have won.

“Our plan was to win the game, but while we were scoring, the opponents were equalizing.

Dolphins Coach: Stanley Eguma

“We need to work harder so that we climb up the log. It is something we can do,” Eguma said.

Dolphins went ahead in the 33rd minute of the game when Emeka Atuloma scored from an easy tap in after Bayelsa United’s goalkeeper, Paul Godwin failed to hold a cross.

In the 55th minute, Eric Frimpong equalized for the home side, scoring from a tight angle.

In the 65th minute, Chidiebere Okolie put Dolphins 2-1 up after he took out 2 markers on the right flank and curled the ball beyond the reach of the goalkeeper to silence the fans at the stadium.

But Bayelsa United were not done as Azubuike Okechukwu managed to get his shot from 30 yards in the net after it was deflected in.

A weakened Bayelsa United coach, Solomon Ogbeide who was sacked a few hours later described the goals conceded as bad for his team.

“Some percentage of football is luck. We did our best. We had chances and couldn’t concert them.

“The goals we scored were actually not good and I was not happy about how we applied defensive principles there,” Ogbeide said.

Dolphins have since returned to Port Harcourt from where they will depart to Calabar on Tuesday for Wednesday’s Federation Cup game against Inter FC of Enugu.

Isiaka Olawale, Dolphin fc

Dolphins rescue accident victims

Meanwhile, on our way back from Oghara, just before Warri, our players rescued the make victim of an accident off the East/West road.

The victim, male, admitted he fell asleep on the steering wheel and his Honda car skidded off the road and was a few feet away from entering a river when some bamboo sticks stopped its further progress.

We stopped our bus, and our players, team secretary and Camera man, along with some passerby who also stopped helped get the car out.

Our bus driver, Wada, drove the car out and the other pushed.

Luckily the driver of the car was not harmed and there was not much damage on the vehicle.

You can visit http://www.youtube.com/dolphinsfctv to was a video of the incident or click this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPrteG1KI30

Rotimi Benched As Dolphins Host Bayelsa United Today In Port Harcourt

AYO SAKA OF DOLPHINS AND EBENEZER ODUNLANI OF SUNSHINE STAR, photo credit LMC Media

Former Rangers and Sunshine Stars goalkeeper, Godwin Ayalogu will make his Dolphins debut on Sunday in Oghara against Bayelsa United.

Ayalogu joined Dolphins at the start of the 2014/15 season but is yet to get a game despite being in the match day squad a couple of times.

By this Sunday Rotimi fails to start his first game for the club this season. Rotimi starts from the bench.

Omoh Johnson also gets a rare start for Dolphins as he has been named in Stanley Eguma’s starting line up.

Chidiebere Okolie Okolie also gets his first start this season.

(Right) Dolphins Goalkeeper Sunday Rotimi

Dolphins start list

25. Godwin Ayalogu

6. Ayobami Asekunowo

26. Jonathan Zikiye

8. Emeka Atuloma

19. Festus Austin

5. Joseph Douhadji

3. Chidiebere Okolie

18. Onyekachi Akakem

24. Omoh Johnson

29. Ayo Saka

11. Chiwendu Ali

Subs

22. Sunday Rotimi

16. Rufus Ebue

31. Victor Ezuruike

17. Godbless Asamoah

7. Isiaka Olawale

32. Daniel Victor

13. Ifeanyi Egwim

Nigeria Professional Football League, Match day 7 – Dolphins v Lobi Stars

Dolphins v Lobi Stars

Kick Off 16:15

Nigeria Professional Football League, Match day 7

Venue: Port Harcourt Liberation Stadium

Date: Sunday, May 3, 2015

TEAM NEWS

Emeka Atuloma and Festus Austin return to the match day squad for Sunday’s game against Lobi Stars.

Atuloma has not dressed for a game since the rescheduled match day 2 fixture in Umuahia against Abia Warriors on March 25, 2015 where he scored a goal in Dolphins 2-1 loss.

Festus Austin was last named in a match day squad on April 22, 2015 in the home game against Rangers which Dolphins won 1-0.

Rufus Ebue and Abdelrahame Diarra may make their debuts for Dolphins if they play against Lobi Stars.

Rufus Ebue, a right full back signed from Heartland but is yet to get a game as his season has been plagued by injuries so far.

Abdelrahame, a Burkinabe striker joined up from Clube De Futebol Carregal do Sal of Portugal and is set to get his first start for Dolphins.

Teenager, Victor Daniel fails to get into match day squad after an inpressive performance as a second half substitute in Uyo against Akwa United.

No Dolphins player has scored more than one league goal this season.

Emeka Atuloma, Chiwendu Ali and Ifeanyi Egwim are the only goal scorers for Dolphins this season.

In this same fixture last season, Dolphins won 3-1 with Ifeanyi Egwim scoring his first hattrick for Dolphins.

Sunday Rotimi, Chidiebere Okolie, Emeka Atuloma, Victor Ezuruike, Isiaka Olawale, Ifeanyi Egwim and Jonathan Zikiye were in the match day Squad for this fixture last season and are set to play again against Lobi Stars.

MATCH PREVIEW

Dolphins will have to watch their on the pitch discipline as ten yellow cards have been shown to their players after just five games in the league.

Dolphins are yet to concede a goal at home this season having drawn 0-0 against Kwara United on Match Day 1 and beaten Rangers 1-0 on Match day 5.

Dolphins have four points from five games played. At this same stage last season, Dolphins had seven points.

Dolphins form this season

26/04/15 NPFL Akwa United 2-0 Dolphins

22/04/15 NPFL Dolphins 1-0 Rangers

19/4/15 NPFL Sunshine Stars 2-1 Dolphins

25/ 03/2015 NPFL Abia Warriors 2-1 Dolphins

08/03/2015 NPFL Dolphins 0-0 Kwara United

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

11/16/14 Lobi Stars 1 – 0 Dolphins FC

5/31/14 Dolphins FC 3 – 1 Lobi Stars FC

10/12/13 Dolphins FC 1 – 0 Lobi Stars FC

6/6/13 Lobi Stars FC 1 – 0 Dolphins FC

8/1/12 Dolphins 0 – 2 Lobi Stars FC

Dolphins Fc

Dolphins Match Day Squad

Sunday Rotimi

Joseph Onwuga

Rufus Ebue

Kingsley Ashu

Onyekachi Akakem

Chidiebere Okolie

Isiaka Olawale

Diarra abdelrahame

Ayobami Asekunowo

Jonathan Zikiye

Emeka Atuloma

Victor Ezuruike

Festus Austin

Victor Alegbe

Sochuma Elum

Ifeanyi Egwim

Ayo Saka

Chiwendu Ali

Dolphins lose in Akure

A controversial goal in added time by Prince Aggrey gave Sunshine Stars a 2-1 win over Dolphins in the league on Sunday evening.

It was a game Dolphins drew last season and when Chiwendu Ali put the Pride of Rivers ahead after 37 minutes it seemed like another day in the office for the 2011 league winners.

Ayo Saka turned round his marker in midfield and passed to Victor Alegbe who in turn freed Ifeanyi Egwim on the left.

Egwim’s cross who struck in ferociously by Chiwendu in only his second game for Dolphins after joining from National Division One side, Go Round FC.

Two minutes later, referee, John Charles called a penalty for Sunshine after a Dolphins defender was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box, but Tunji Adeniyi shot the kick wide.

At half time, Sunshine Stars coach, Kennedy Boboye brought in Dele Olorundare and he made his impact felt two minutes later.

Joseph Douhadji failed to head clear a cross into the Dolphins area, Olorundare latched on the loose ball and found Adeniyi who controlled well before slotting home behind Sunday Rotimi in goal for Dolphins.

With the game in added time, Sunday Rotimi failed to take care of a cross into his area and Prince Aggrey scored though it seemed he handled the ball before turning round to score, a glaring hand ball both the referee and his assistant missed.

Dolphins’ players protested the goal for two minutes before restarting the game.

Stanley Eguma was livid at the end of the game, blaming the referee for the loss

“The referee made us to lose this game. The whole world has seen it. Even under live television this happened. We have to do something about this because it is not the best,” Eguma said.

Kennedy Akinboboye of Sunshine Stars described it as a very difficult game but that he noticed the Dolphins players got complacent thinking they had escaped with a draw before he punished them with game changing substitutions

“It was difficult playing against a very experienced side. I never gave up. I brought in some people to push the attack and when I noticed Dolphins were relaxed thinking they had gotten a draw, we pushed up,” Boboye said.

Go Round FC Boss pledges bigger things

Felix Obuah, president of Nigeria National League side, GO Round FC has pledged that Friday’s performance against Prime will be their worst this season.

Go Round FC managed a 1-0 win over their opponents, courtesy of a penalty scored in the second half by Chiwendu Ali.

Obuah said the team will get better adding that he will also do better for the team.

“That is why I built this stadium to bring the club closer to the people. It is the love I have for football,” Obuah said.

Captain of Go Round FC, Nyima said hardwork and determination was responsible for their win against Prime.

“We also have the support of the club president and we believe we can build on this game and move to bigger things,”

Coach of the side, Ngozi Elechi said his boys were tensed during the game and for good reason too.

“It was the openin match of the season and opening games are like this.

“I am happy we won in the end though,” Elechi said.

Former Sunshine Stars coach, Samuel Abimbola is with Prime and he also said it was a good game judging from the fact that it was their first this season.

“I give kudos to my boys. They did well,” Abimbola said.