The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Dolphins

  • Dolphins dedicate Zenith Bank/NBBF Women’s Basketball League  title  to late Aboderin

    Dolphins dedicate Zenith Bank/NBBF Women’s Basketball League  title  to late Aboderin

    After winning their second  Zenith Bank/NBBF Women’s League title in history, Dolphins Women Basketball team, has dedicated the victory to the memory of its late  founder, Wale Aboderin.

    The late Aboderin invested a lot in the team, building a club house and gym house for the team before his demise on May 30, 2018.

    According to the current director of the team, Olumide Oyedeji, it was a thing of joy for him leading the team to the title.

    Speaking with our correspondent, the Olympian said Aboderin will be happy in his grave seeing what the team has achieved.

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    “Getting this far is a testament to what the founder did during his lifetime, and I am happy to be part of history,” he said.

    “I was still playing when the late Aboderin started investing in the team and after his death,  there is need to continue from where he stopped because he will not be happy to see the team not functioning again.

    “Since all these years, we have been working so hard with the players and the management, the result is what everyone are witnessing, especially from the conference to the final against First Bank.”

    Dolphins on Saturday, September 20, at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, defeated First Bank 61-55 points in the final of the 2025 Zenith Bank/NBBF Women’s Basketball League, thereby denying their opponents their bid for  a record 10th title.

    The final game was on Saturday graced by the CEO of Zenith Bank, Dame (Dr) Adaora Umeoji and other top executives of the bank.

    NBBF Chairman, Musa Kida and chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko were also present.

  • Dolphins remain unbeaten after AHIP win

    Dolphins remain unbeaten after AHIP win

    Reigning champions, Dolphins ended their first phase campaign of the Zenith Bank Women Basketball League in Abuja, defeating AHIP Queens of Kano 52-38 to make it nine wins in nine games and topping Group A.

    Rookie Mistura Subair top scored with 13 points for  Dolphins who rested their starting five for the last 8 minutes of the game. Power forward Aderinsola Idowu added 11 points and 7 rebounds to join Mistura as the only Dolphins player to score double figures.

    Head coach of Dolphins, Ochuko Okworogwu after the game said in spite of the win her team has not been impressive, but praised the level of competition.

    “We are going back to work hard for the second phase, we were very slack in defence in the first phase. We can’t afford to continue to play that way if we want to retain our title.

    “Other teams have improved, but the sponsors and the federation still need to give more support to the teams financially and otherwise,” she added.

    AHIP, who gave an improved performance from Saturday night, had Chinwe Okah and Victoria Ofiri as top scorers with nine points apiece in the loss.

    Wilson Idanwenkhai head coach of AHIP believes his team will be stronger for the second phase of the league next month.

    “We started like this last season because we had little time to jell and we are just getting into rhythm. We won’t go home to rest and I know we will come back better just like we did in last season’s second phase and hopefully secure a place in the playoffs”.

    In other results of the day Oluyole Babes ensured Immigration were left without a win in Abuja as they rounded off the first phase with a solitary win with a 41-39 points victory.

  • LMC approves Dolphins change of name to Rivers United

    LMC approves Dolphins change of name to Rivers United

    Dolphins FC have been granted approval to change their name to Rivers United FC by the League Management Company (LMC) with a proviso that they comply with relevant rules dealing with specific sections of the Framework and Rules for change of name.

    The approval was granted pursuant to an application for change of name endorsed by the Rivers State Government, owners of the club through the office of the Commissioner for Sports.

    The approval was conveyed in a letter by the LMC which read, “Pursuant to the provisions of article A5.4 of the Framework and Rules of the Nigeria Professional Football League, having duly considered your application for permission to change the name of the Football Club from “Dolphins Football Club” to “Rivers United Football Club”, we are pleased to convey to you the approval of the League Management Company”.

    The letter further stated that the approval was in line with the provisions of article A5.4.3 and A5.4.4, stating that the approval was granted on the basis that the proposed name change is not offensive or prejudicial to national unity, community identity, fans or supporters’ followership, other objectives and commercial interests of the League as a marketing brand and football competition.

    Dolphins were directed to in line with the change notify the LMC when the change of name is effected in line with the national company legislation for the implementation of the necessary changes in the LMC records and publications.

    It also required Dolphins to comply with requirements with the Personnel and Administrative Criteria of the Club Licensing Regulations as well as the League Rules to submit the club management structure by submitting the CVs, employment contract/appointment letter, copies of relevant certificates of all personnel.

  • Enyimba to prepare for Vipers with Super Cup, Dolphins’ ties

    Enyimba to prepare for Vipers with Super Cup, Dolphins’ ties

    •Aba side confident of overturning first leg deficit in Port Harcourt

    Enyimba have disclosed that they are taking their next two matches against Akwa United in the NFF Super Cup on Wednesday and their weekend league opener against Dolphins in Port Harcourt seriously as they countdown to their CAF Champions League preliminary round second leg tie against Vipers on February 28.

    The People’s Elephants created lots of chances in Kampala during the first leg weekend but they were unable to connect any and had to pay for their wastefulness when the Vipers struck for the only goal of the match.

    The Chairman of the club, Felix Anyansi Agwu told SportingLife that

    Enyimba have two important matches against Akwa United in Abuja for the Super Four and then another tie against Dolphins on Sunday in the first game of the league season to put themselves in shape for Vipers.

    He said they have put the loss in Kampala behind them and are hoping to overturn the goal deficit when the second leg comes up at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.

  • Foreigners flock to Dolphins

    Foreigners flock to Dolphins

    Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) club, Dolphins have intensified preparations for the 2015/16 season.

    The three-time NPFL champions have set up shop in Omoku (outskirts of Port Harcourt) where club trainer, Stanley Eguma is putting finishing touches to their preparations for the new season.

    Eguma said it is important to take his players “away from the hustle and bustle of Port Harcourt” as they set their sights on having a glorious 2015/16 campaign.

    “We had a terrible time last season and to avoid a repeat of such we must start preparations early. I must say a big thank you to the Honourable commissioner of sports in Rivers State (Boma Iyaye) who graciously approved the proposal to camp the team in Omoku for our pre-season preparations.

    “It is extremely crucial to take the players away from the hustle and bustle of Port Harcourt to attain maximum concentration,” Eguma told supersport.com.

    The trainer added that players from different parts of Africa have stormed the team’s Omoku camp hoping to join the side ahead of the upcoming season.

    “We lost a lot of important players last season but we should have even better replacements this time around. We have spread our nets far and wide and I am happy to say that some very good players from countries like Ghana, Togo, the Ivory Coast and other countries here with us in Omoku.

    “They have signalled their intentions of playing for us because they know that Dolphins Football Club is a brand. I am sure that when the team is finally knocked into shape, we will have a side that can represent Rivers State creditably in all competitions we enter for,” he said.

    Dolphins avoided relegation from the NPFL on the final day of last season.

  • Dolphins should have gone down – Ezeji

    Dolphins should have gone down – Ezeji

    Though they turned the tables eventually, Dolphins and not Sharks were more likely to get relegated, according to former player of the sides Victor Ezeji.

    The Rivers State-born Ezeji, started his senior professional career; with the now relegated Sharks; and also won the League and FA Cup with Dolphins in 2004.

    ”They started the relegation battle from week 1; going a position above each other and taking turns. The reason is very simple; both teams did not prepare well, and when you don’t prepare,it will be difficult for the team to performance.

    ”Sharks changed coaches not once not twice, but Dolphins were lucky to escape. They were on the continent and did not prepare well at all and got knocked out very early; they never looked well at all, it was a narrow escape for them,”‘ Ezeji told footballlive.ng.

  • Dolphins were difficult opponents, says Arowolo

    Dolphins were difficult opponents, says Arowolo

    • 3SC go on break Thursday

    Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan (3SC) media officer, Jubril Arowolo has denied rumours making round that his side helped Dolphins FC to escape relegation during Sunday’s Glo Premier League tie at the Lekan Salami Stadium which ended 2-2 draw.

    The Oluyole Warriors had nothing to lose in the game while Dolphins needed it to maintain its league status.

    Dolphins finished 16th on the league table with 45 points from 38 games, same as relegated Sharks but escape with a superior goal difference.

    A section of 3SC fans at the stadium was not happy with way their team approached the game against Dolphins which brought about the wrong notion and booed the team during the game.

    But in a chat with SportingLife, Arowolo said Dolphins played for survival and got a deserved result.

    “Dolphins played for survival and got a fair result. Pure and simple but not as they thought,” Arowolo said.

    “A very commited fan of football knows how difficult to play a team in a precarious position. We were just too complacent and they capitalized on that. We implore our fans to see it from that angle, no more no less.

    “All the same we appeal to them to show understanding!. Also, we have to give glory to God for taking us this far, 9th position is something we cherished and kudos to everybody that made it so.”

    Meanwhile, Arowolo has disclosed to SportingLife that the team will embark on a short break from Thursday and resume for some games for preparations ahead of next season.

  • Dolphins beat Heartland 2-1 to boost survival hope

    Dolphins beat Heartland 2-1 to boost survival hope

    The hope of Dolphins surviving the drop at the end of the season was boosted following a 2-1 home win over Heartland in Port Harcourt in a Week 37 game on Sunday.

    Dolphins remain 17th on the league table with 41 points from 37 games.

    The game was heading to a draw when Chiwendu Ali’s 90th minute free kick was deflected into the net for the winning goal.

    Former Dolphins striker and Nigeria league legend Victor Ezeji put Heartland in front in the 15th minute, when he tapped in Brown Braye Okpus’ cross.

    Christian Weli equalised 1-1 in the 24th minute when he headed home Ebitimi’s cross.

  • ROTIMI SUNDAY BOASTS: No relegation talk for Dolphins

    ROTIMI SUNDAY BOASTS: No relegation talk for Dolphins

    Dolphins goalkeeper, Rotimi Sunday has said his side will keep their top flight status at the end of the ongoing league season.

    The Garden City outfit are 17th on the 20-team top flight on 38 points with four matches on the season’s calendar.

    Sunday said though the side’s position at the moment is not comfortable the four matches on the calendar will positively and ultimately turn things around for the side.

    “Dolphins’ position on the league log is not pleasant but we have the will power to stay put in the NPFL with four matches to wrap up the season. Our game plan right now is to win the remaining four matches to amass the whole 12 points which will be enough for us to keep our Premiership status.

    “Of course, we know that the task will be daunting, we know, too that none of the matches on the calendar will be cheap so we are going to steel ourselves to take whatever comes to stay alive.

    “First and foremost, we plan to win our home matches against El Kanemi Warriors and Heartland while we strive for points in the away matches at Wikki Tourists and 3SC. The four matches will be critical for all the teams so we have the belief that we will overcome the hurdle and keep our status quo at the end of the season,” said the Nigerian shot stopper to supersport.com.

    The Port Harcourt side will welcome El Kanemi Warriors to its abode, Liberation Stadium for Wednesday’s top flight match day 35 clash.

  • Dolphins not doomed yet, insists Eguma

    Dolphins not doomed yet, insists Eguma

    Relegation-threatened Dolphins coach, Stanley Eguma has urged fans of the club not to give up on the team.

    Dolphins are deep in the drop zone, 17th on the table with 38 points with only four rounds of matches to be played till the end of the season.

    On Wednesday, the Port Harcourt side came from a goal down to beat Kano Pillars 2-1 at the Liberation Stadium in Port Harcourt.

    “We still have a chance, nobody should write us off,” declared Eguma

    “My boys know what is at stake and if you see the way we played against Pillars you would agree that we have improved a lot. We have four more matches to go and nothing says we cannot win our two away matches and home games. So, it’s not over and nobody should write us off.”