Rivers United captain, Festus Austin says players of the club must not get carried away as they look to win the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title at the first time of asking. United is currently top of the NPFL standings with three matches remaining and the ‘Pride of Rivers’ know they are within striking […]
via Rivers United Must Stay Calm In Race For NPFL Title – Austin — newfanzoneblog
Relegation threatened Dolphins FC fought hard in Aba for sixty five minutes but two goals by two substitutes saw the home side, Enyimba win 2-0.
Dolphins hadn’t had a result in Aba since 2004 though it seemed they were on their way there until the 65th minute when substitute Andrew Abalogu headed home from close range.
Dolphins had been under siege all game long and it took spectacular saves from Sunday Rotimi in goal and top notch defending from Joseph Douhadji, Festus Austin and Godwin Obinze to have kept Dolphins hope alive.
Twice in the early minutes of the game, Sunday Rotimi slipped and fell on the wet pitch and it took Joseph Douhadji and then Festus Austin to clear of the line.
Mfon Udoh had a clear cut opportunity in the 30th minute when Alooma’s pass freed him and he tried to put the ball between the legs of on rushing Sunday Rotimi.
Udoh thought he had scored but Rotimi held the ball between his legs.
Six minutes later, it was Enyimba on rampage once again and it took point blank saves from Rotimi in the six yard box and a Douhadji clearance off the line to save their blushes.
A minute before half time, more Enyimba pressure saw Chigozie Ihunda clear off the line.
Dolphins had a few forays up front but no clear cut chance as the trio of Oghogho Oduokpe, Ebitimi Agogu and Omoh Johnson failed to ask questions of the Enyimba defence.
Six minutes into the 2nd half and it was Joseph Douhadji to the rescue again as he saved a Chinedu Udoji header off the line.
But with pressure mounting, the inevitable goal was scored in the 65th minute.
Chigozie Ihunda got a yellow card for time wasting and Godwin Obinze upended Alooma to get a yellow but Ifeanyi Anaemena’s free header from a corner gave Enyimba a second goal and all three points at stake.
“It was a bad day at the office for us though we played well,” Dolphins midfielder, Christian Weli said after the game.
“We played well, especially in the first half but we lost concentration in the 2nd half,” Weli said
Enyimba’s coach, Kadiri Ikhana said his players missed lots of first half chances but came out strongly in the second.
“We played better in the first half than in the second but it was unfortunate that we didn’t take all the chances we got then.
“Good thing we were able to convert our second half chances to win the game,” Ikhana said.
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.
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.
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.
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
Players and officials of Dolphins FC are in joyous mood after the governor of Rivers State, Barrister Nyesom Wike sent a savory message to them just before departure to Nnewi for a league game.
Media Manager of the club, China Acheru said that the team was preparing for the trip to Nnewi for a league game against Ifeanyi Ubah FC when the governor’s message arrived.
“Governor Wike told the players that all salaries owed to them will be paid up until May 2015,” Acheru said.
“You all know the team have been owed salaries and match bonuses since August 2014 and this message from the governor has come as a welcome development,” the Media manager added.
Captain of the team, Festus Austin said before departure that the message from the governor has really lifted the spirit of the players.
“We just want to thank him. We know he is not the one who actually owed us but it is a debt he inherited so we are happy that just less than three weeks after he was sworn in, he has given a time line to pay us.
“The players are happy. We have been trying our best in those dark moments and we will do even better now that we have hopes of getting paid and will actually be paid,” Austin said.
According to Acheru, the governor has said all monies owed the team up till the end of May 2015 will be paid by Monday, June 22, 2015.
“That is what we got from government house just before departure that every one will be paid by Monday next week as the governor has approved the release of funds to offset all debts,” Acheru added.
You will recall that On May 27, players of the team as well as those of Sharks barricaded the gates of the Rivers State government house, two days before the handover ceremony to inquire from the outgone governor why they had not been paid and a promise was made to pay before the inauguration on May 29.
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.
“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.
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
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.
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
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 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 hard tackling central defender, Festus Austin says he is back training and is ready to get back on the pitch with the club once again.
Austin cracked his shin during a league game against Warri Wolves last year, two games after he returned from a yearlong injury.
He had cracked the same shin two years ago in a league game and was out of action for one year; then he returned for a league game in Enugu against Rangers International before cracking the shin one game later in Warri against Warri Wolves
“I have started training on my own and I am right now waiting for the team doctor to give me the go ahead to join the players on the pitch.
“I will meet with him soon. I have just started gym work because I need to gain some strength pending when the doctor confirms I can go into full training,” Festus said.
The former Bendel Insurance defender said he first feared for his career when he was being taken off the pitch last year on a stretcher.
“I was not happy when I first got injured and when I was taken off again, I thought it was the same fracture that reoccurred
“I later found out it was the same leg but not on the same place so I relaxed a bit because I knew what I went through with the first one,” Austin said
Festus Austin joined Dolphins from Bendel Insurance in 2008 as 4th in the center back order behind Tochukwu Okolie, Chimezie Nzewi and Emah Godwin but he soon started playing regularly, took a first team shirt and became a main stay in the Dolphins defence.
For those who have called to ask on the situation as regards Dolphins defender, Festus Austin, also known as Koboko, preliminary tests show he will be out for the rest of the season.
Austin Fractured a bone in his shin late in the game against Warri Wolves on Wednesday.
Incidentally, until further test reveal, it seems like the same fracture that kept him out for a full year.
The game against Warri Wolves was his first start since his fractured his shin against Wikki Tourists on October 30, 2013.
He was taken out of the stadium in an ambulance as soon as the incident occurred late in the game for first aid and preliminary care and on return to Port Harcourt was taken straight to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.
As soon as there are further developments we will let you know.
After one year out with that fracture, Austin returned as a late substitute in the 2-1 loss to Rangers last week before starting against Warri Wolves where it re-occurred.
The club wish him the best in his recuperation process.
Warri Wolves V Dolphins Preview
Kick Off 4pm
24th September 2014
TEAM NEWS
Chidiebere Okolie is out of the Dolphins’ team that will take on Warri Wolves on Wednesday at the Warri City Stadium.
Okolie picked up an injury in the course of Sunday’s 2-0 win against Gombe United in Port Harcourt.
He has been replaced in the match day squad with Joseph Douhadji.
Emmanuel Olowo is still out of the team after his wedding and honey moon. He only just returned to the team on Sunday and trained on Monday evening.
Sunday Rotimi remains out of the match day squad after missing out the game against Gombe United.
Rotimi is still recuperating from illness.
MATCH PREVIEW
Dolphins beat Warri Wolves 1-0 in Port Harcourt on 23/04/2014, the goal scored by Bolaji Sarkin.
After Rangers ended their unbeaten streak a week ago, Dolphins rallied round to beat Gombe United 2-0 on Sunday, goals coming from Chizoba Amaefule and Emem Eduok
Emem Eduok now has ten goals in the league.
Recent Head to head
23/04/2014 Dolphins 1-0 Warri Wolves
11-Sep-2013 Dolphins FC 2 – Warri Wolves FC 1
12-May-2013 Warri Wolves FC 2 – Dolphins FC 1
04-Jul-2012 Dolphins FC 1 – Warri Wolves FC 0
11-Mar-2012 Warri Wolves FC 1 – Dolphins FC 1
Match Day Squad
Pius Ibrahim, Austin Brown, Victor Alegbe, Emem Eduok, Ebube Okpokwu, Isiaka Olawale, Omo Johnson, Victor Ezuruike, Jonathan Zikiye, Ayobami Asekunowo, Ifeanyi Egwim, Chizoba Amaefule, Tijani Adamu, Mendy Xavier, Festus Austin, Emeka Atuloma, Joseph Douhadji, Bolaji Sarkin
Sunshine Stars v Dolphins Team News
Venue: Akure Township Stadium
Date: Sunday, 17 August
TEAM NEWS
Festus Austin may play his first match for Dolphins this season as he has once against been listed in the match day squad for Sunday’s game against Sunshine Stars in Akure.
Austin last featured for Dolphins in October 2013 in the last match of the season against Wikki Tourist.
His injury kept him out for 8 months and he only recently returned to training.
He was listed in the match day squad against Crown FC last week but did not get to play.
Victor Ezuruike and Emma Olowo have both been ruled out of the game as Ezuruike is taking a rest from an injury while Olowo is preparing for his wedding.
MATCH PREVIEW
In Port Harcourt when both sides met March 29, 2014, Dolphins won 2-1, both goals scored by Emem Eduok.
Hope Fiberesima who is listed in today’s squad got a red card on the day while yellow cards were issued to Chizoba Amaefule, Isiaka Olawale and Tijani Adamu.
Dolphins are unbeaten in the last four league games, having last lost in Kano to Kano Pillars 3-1 on June 16, 2014.
Between then and now, Dolphins have beaten Pillars 1-0 and Heartland 1-0 in Port Harcourt; drawn against Giwa FC 1-1 in Jos and beaten Crown 2-0 in Port Harcourt.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
The last time Dolphins got a result in Akure was in 2003 and the game ended 1-1 with Sampson Uborgu equalizing for Dolphins midway in the 2nd half.
Since then, Dolphins have lost every time they have been on the road to Sunshine, the most scandalous of them being the 3-0 loss last season in Akure
Recent Head to head
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Sunshine Stars 3-0 Dolphins
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Dolphins 1-1 Sunshine Stars
June 13, 2012
Sunshine Stars 1-0 Dolphins
January 7, 2012
Dolphins 1-0 Sunshine Stars
Match Day squad
Sunday Rotimi, Austin Brown, Chizoba Amaefule, Johnathan Zikiye, Ayobami Asekunowo, Joseph Douhadji, Xavier Mendy, Festus Austin, Emeka Atuloma, Victor Alegbe, Tijani Adamu, Chidiebere Okolie, Hope Fiberesima, Isiaka Olawale, Emem Eduok, Ebube Okpokwu, Bolaji Sarkin, Omo Johnson
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