The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Dolphins

  • Dolphins call off strike

    Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) club, Dolphins have called off the indefinite strike embarked upon by players to press home demands for their financial entitlements.

    The action, which was called off after a meeting between the Dolphins’ players and Rivers State sports commissioner, Fred Igwe on Friday was already in its fifth day.

    The players went on strike last season to press home demands for the non-payment of one hundred percent of their signing-on fees for the 2011/12 football season. Part of the resolutions reached during Friday’s meeting was that players retained from the 2011/12 football season would be paid N1 million (about $6,300 USD) each on Monday, April 8.

    The players will then get the rest of their monies by the end of April, 2013.

    Players, who left at the end of the season, will however not be paid on Monday.

    “We will take the commissioner by his words and return to training. If we don’t receive the remainder of our money by the end of the month, then we will meet as a team and decide on what action to take,” captain of Dolphins, Sunday Rotimi told supersport.com.

    Dolphins sit in 14th place on the NPFL table with five points from five matches this season.

  • We lost to better side- Dolphins

    We lost to better side- Dolphins

    Dolphins head coach, Stanley Eguma says he lost to a better ABS side on Sunday at the Ilorin Township Stadium.

    A 26th minute penalty converted by Lordson Ichull was the difference in a keenly fought out encounter between two fine playing sides.

    The referee pointed to the spot after Dolphins defender, Festus Austin was adjudged to have handled the ball after going for an aerial challenge.

    After the game, Eguma simply admitted that he lost to a better side though he frowned at the penalty call.

    “What can I do? We did our best but lost. I can say I am not happy with the referee but it’s a game and such things happen. I didn’t think that was a deserved penalty but he gave it and that is football. My players did their best but it was not enough to take a point out of Ilorin,” Eguma said.

    Kabiru Nuhu Dogo of ABS said he is happy his boys are improving with every match.

    “We faced difficult opponents in Dolphins. I rate them as one of the best clubs in the Nigerian league and that is why I am happy about our performance against them. You can see that we are improving with every game and my boys will soon hit their peak,” Dogo said.

  • Adikwu out of Dolphins’ game

    Adikwu out of Dolphins’ game

    Shooting Stars Sport Club (3SC) striker, Gabriel Adikwu has been ruled out of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) week two fixture against Dolphins in Port Harcourt, SportingLife can reveal.

    The former Lobi Stars player sustained a knee injury in their 2-0 match day one league game against Gombe United at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan on Sunday.

    SportingLife gathered that Adikwu has been informed by the club’s medics that the injury will take about 10 days to heal.

    “The doctor and physio have just told me that. I’m disappointed because it (injury) came so early in the match despite my zeal to win for my team. But I thank God that my teammates finished the job,” Adikwu told SportingLife.

    An ex U-20 invitee, Adikwu however hopes to be back against his former club, Lobi Stars in the week three fixture. “I am praying hard not to miss the game against Lobi. My friends in the team and the chairman have called to pray for my quick recovery.”

    Adikwu joined 3SC in the week-nine transfer window last season and has since been a constant performer.

     

  • Dolphins aim high in Uyo

    Dolphins aim high in Uyo

    Former Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) champions, Dolphins have revealed that they would take precautionary measure in their first duel of the 2012/13 season in Uyo.

    The Port Harcourt-based club will kick off their campaign against hosts, Akwa United today.

    Dolphins were 2010/11 Nigerian champions before Kano Pillars dethroned them last season.

    Last term in this same corresponding fixture in Uyo, the encounter produced five thrilling goals but the hosts won it with a Johnson Omo winner.

    Dolphins are experienced campaigners having won the league title thrice, and one of the club’s midfielders, Isiaka Olawale said it would be great to get an away victory to start their campaign.

    “We have worked hard because we know that this game will not be easy for us but we have a plan on how to beat Akwa United tomorrow (Sunday),” Olawale said.

  • Dolphins, Sharks players vow: No pay, no play Want last season signing on fees settled

    Dolphins, Sharks players vow: No pay, no play Want last season signing on fees settled

    Players of the two Rivers government owned clubs in the elite Dolphins and Sharks have embarked on an indefinite strike which they vowed would only be called off after their signing on fees for last season have been settled.

    Both clubs’ players have not trained since Thursday and feelers got from players of the two clubs who do not want their names in print said they have endured enough and have exhausted their patience with only six days to the kick off of another season in the league.

    The supposed friendly match organised between both clubs was the first to suffer from the industrial action and they have promised to stay out of action until their demands are met.

    The players pointed to the several unfulfilled promises of the State government as regards the payment of the signing on fees adding that they want the governor to match his words with action by approving of the payment of the said money without delay.

    “We are hungry and not happy at the situation of things at all. We have been practically turned to beggars regarding our own sweat. It is unfair.

    “The government has promised to pay but have reneged on their promise. If nothing is done now before another league season begins, it may turn a bad debt and this we do not want.

    “We are appealing to the sports loving governor to come to our aid and release the money meant for the payment of our signing on fees,” the players echoed.

    It would be recalled that both state owned sides finished lower their expected heights last season after they lost some part of the season to similar exercise. Dolphins only confirmed their stay in the elite division on the final day of the season while Sharks didn’t fare better either with their mid table placement last season.

     

  • Dolphins happy with Ajagun’s progress

    Dolphins happy with Ajagun’s progress

    General Manager of Dolphins Football Club, Dumbo Awanen says he is happy with the progress Abduljeleel Ajagun has made in football.

    Ajagun was recently named substantive captain of Nigeria’s U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles and Awanen insists it shows the quality of players at Dolphins.

    “It is not just about being a good player which we know Ajagun is, it is about having leadership qualities and being named captain of a national team no matter what cadre; it shows that he has the ability to lead the team in their quest for glory,” Awanen said.

    Apart from Ajagun being named captain of the Flying Eagles, two other Dolphins players in the team, Chidi Osuchukwu and Chizoba Amaefule were named as vice captains and an elated Awanen continued to extol the virtues of Dolphins.

    “I think from the latest developments at the Flying Eagles it is clear that Dolphins have a certain quality of players, a quality seen by the national team coaches. I on behalf of Dolphins Football Club congratulate Ajagun for being named captain of the Flying Eagles as well as Chidi Osushukwu and Chizoba Amaefule for their positions as vice captains,” Awanen said.

  • NPL changes name

    NPL changes name

    The interim management committee (IMC) of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) has effected a change of nomenclature for the Nigerian top flight and the league will now be referred to as the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPLF).

    The draws for the 2012/13 NPFL were held on Friday in Abuja with Enugu Rangers playing host to Enyimba FC in the standout game, Supersport.com reports.

    The first round of matches would be played on March 9.

    Champions, Kano Pillars travel to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium Bauchi where the team will face Wikki Tourists while things are expected to get heated up at the Illorin Township stadium with the first derby of the season between Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) FC and Kwara United.

    Cup kings, Heartland welcome newly promoted Nembe City to the the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri in a fascinating fixture while Sharks take on Warri Wolves at the Sharks FC stadium in a game that is expected to be evenly contested.

    Two other newly-promoted clubs; Nasarawa United and El Kanemi Warriors go toe to toe at the Lafia township stadium, Lafia.

    Three-time champions, Dolphins embark on the short trip from Port Harcourt to Uyo to face Akwa United while last season’s CAF champions’ league semi finalists, Sunshine Stars will take on Kaduna United.