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.

Dolphins Get Rare Point In Akure

Dolphins battled to a scoreless game in a keenly contested encounter at the Akure Stadium on Sunday.

Starting without three regulars, Victor Ezuruike, Emmanuel Olowo and Ifeanyi Egwim, Dolphins were off to a bright start as Emem Eduok got some space in the box but was pulled down by Jude Ehitongwa but the Center referee waved play on.

Ibrahim Ajani also presented Dele Olorundare with a great chance to score in the 21st minute with a sublime cross but Sunday Rotimi was well positioned to make a save.

Emem Eduok – Dolphins FC

Dolphins soaked up most of the pressure coming from Sunshine Stars and went into the break scoreless.

Three minutes into the second half, Prince Aggrey was brought down in the box and the referee wasted no time to call a penalty which was well saved by Sunday Rotimi.

Stanley Eguma brought in Bolaji Sarkin and Isiaka Olawale for Victor Alegbe and Tijani Adamu respectively in the 67th and 75th minutes.

Emem Eduok had a chance to kill the game when he made one of his trademark runs on the left but was pulled down by Paul Onobi, the referee looking away once again.

With five minutes of added time at the end of the game, Dolphins held on to record its first point in Akure since 2003.