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

Abia Warriors v Dolphins FC MATCH PREVIEW

Nigeria Professional Football League

Rescheduled Match day 2 fixture

Abia Warriors v Dolphins FC

Kick Off 4pm

Abia Township Stadium

TEAM NEWS

Dolphins return to the league after ouster from the CAF Confederation Cup two weekends ago where they were walked over by Club Africain without kicking a ball.

Technical Manager, Stanley Eguma keeps faith in eleven of the players who were in Tunis for last the game against Club Africain as Sunday Rotimi, Joseph Onwuga, Victor Ezuruike, Jonathan Zikiye, Onyekachi Akakem, Tobins Zikalla, Joseph Doujhadji, Emeka Atuloma, Hope Fiberesima, Omoh Johnson and Chigozie Ihunda all make the match day squad.

Cyril Oriakhu, who joined Dolphins from Rangers International returns to the match day squad after making his debut against Kwara United on March 7 in the opening game of the league.

Festus Austin also returns to the match day squad for the first time since September 24, 2014 when he cracked his shin against Warri Wolves in Warri.

He only resumed training two months ago.

Chiwendu Ali who signed up from Go Round FC was in the match day aquad against Kwara United but did not get to play so could make his debut against Abia Warriors on Wednesday.

Ayo Saka who got his Dolphins debut against Kwara United is in the match day squad after he missed the trip to Tunisia because he was not registered for the competition.

Ifeanyi Egwim returns from injury he sustained against Kwara United and Sochuma Elum, who signed up from Dynamic Africa Stars, an Academy may also get his debut for the club against Abia Warriors

Dolphins left full back, Jonathan Zikiye

MATCH PREVIEW

Dolphins managed a draw at home to Kwara United on match day 1 and haven’t played a league game ever since as the team had to travel to Tunisia for the game against Club Africain in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Last season Dolphins kept only two clean sheets away from home, against Sunshine Stars in Akure and against Sharks in Port Harcourt.

They have started this season with a clean sheet at home against Kwara United on match day 1.

Recent form

Last five matches

ABIA WARRIORS FC

Abia Warriors

3/22/15: El Kanemi Warriors 3 – 1 Abia Warriors

3/8/15: Giwa FC 0 – 0 Abia Warriors

11/16/14: Gombe United 4 – 1 Abia Warriors

11/2/14: Abia Warriors 3 – 0 Sharks

10/26/14: Crown 0 – 1 Abia Warriors

Dolphins

3/14/15: Club Africain 3 – 0 Dolphins (Walk over)

3/8/15: Dolphins 0 – 0 Kwara United

2/28/15: Dolphins 1 – 0 Leones Vegetarianos

2/14/15: Leones Vegetarianos 1 – 0 Dolphins

23/11/14: Enyimba 2-1 Dolphins

HEAD TO HEAD

10/5/14 : Abia Warriors 2 – 1 Dolphins FC

4/30/14: Dolphins FC 3 – 0 Abia Warriors

Dolphins goalkeeper Sunday Rotimi

Match Day Squad

Sunday Rotimi

Joseph Onwuga

Victor Ezuruike

Cyril Oriakhu

Festus Austin

Jonathan Zikiye

Onyekachi Akakem

Tobins Zikalla

Chiwendu Ali

Joseph Doujhadji

Emeka Atuloma

Hope Fiberesima

Ayo Saka

Damiel Israel

Omoh Johnson

Ifeanyi Egwim

Sochuma Elum

Chigozie Ihunda

Dolphins Grab Khaleej Sirte Sc Defender

Onyekachi Bartholomew Akakem will no longer play for Khaleej Sirte SC as he has put pen on paper to play for Dolphins this year.

The defence strong man who is comfortable in central defense and defensive midfield has also been registered to play for the team in the CAF Confederation Cup that starts next month.

Onyekachi Akakem is good with both feet, a good man marker and is a combative defender.

Akakem Onyekachi

He is calm and comfortable on the ball and prefers the short pass from defence to build up play, rather than boot the ball out. He is good in the air and is technically sound.

He had preciously Ajiya Babes, Ocean Boys, Heartland, Rangers and most recently Khaleej Sirte SC in Libya.

He reported to the team camp today (Monday) and is ready and rearing to go.

In the Dolphins team, he will have the likes of Victor Ezuruike, Joseph Douhadji and Ayobami Asekunowo to contend with for a starting place in the Dolphins team this season.