The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Dolphins

  • Ajagun transfer fee: Dolphins give deadline

    Ajagun transfer fee: Dolphins give deadline

    Dolphins have fired a two-week ultimatum to Greek club Panathinaikos to pay up the 200,000 Euros for the sale of Nigeria U20 skipper Abduljaleel Ajagun.

    Panathinaikos had promised to pay the transfer fee soon after they completed the signing of the midfielder last month, but they are yet to do so.

    “Dolphins will send a formal remainder to Panathinaikos this week asking to be paid the cash within the next two weeks,” a top source involved in the transaction told MTNFootball.com.

    The cash crunch in Greece has forced Pana to operate a shoe-string budget this season.

    Ajagun in the meantime has made several appearances for the top Greek club and even featured for 81 minutes as they won 2-0 at Ergotelis on Saturday in a league fixture.

    They have now climbed to fifth place on the table with 14 points from nine matches.

  • Rivers Commissioner praises Sharks, Dolphins

    Rivers Commissioner praises Sharks, Dolphins

    The Commissioner for Sports in Rivers State, Fred Igwe, has praised the two teams that represented the state in the just concluded Nigeria Professional Football League.

    Despite the performances of both teams which was devoid of continental silver ware, Rivers State Commissioner of Sports, Hon Fred Igwe expressed delight in the players, technical and administrative managers of both teams for keeping the teams in the elite league.

    “Though I had expected a ticket to play continental football from either of the teams next season, that did not happen, be as it may, am still happy they finished in the top ten bracket of the twenty team table, don’t forget four teams were relegated,” Igwe said in the statement released by Juliana Masi, the press officer.

    “I commend the management of both teams most especially Sharks for fulfilling the promise they made when they were going through bad times that the team will not be relegated,” he stressed.

    “Sharks was work in progress last season and I expect the management to keep the bulk of the players that helped turn the fortune of the team around and that means, they must as a matter of necessity win a ticket for the state next season.

    “Same goes for Dolphins who must take a shot at continental glory because they have won virtually all the available trophies in the country in the recent past. Once again, I am happy with what you have done, (management of both teams) but you have to redouble your effort by bringing quality legs to the team to ensure better performance next season,” he said.

    Of the four teams that were relegated, three were from southwest Nigeria, and two were from the same state.

  • Dolphins thank Amaechi, Igwe

    Dolphins thank Amaechi, Igwe

    After escaping from the jaws of relegation on the last day of the season, Dolphins through its General Manager, Dumbo Awanen has said they must show appreciation to the Rivers State government.

    Awanen said he can only thank God, the Rivers State government and the sports ministry.

    “They supported us all through the season, the government, commissioner, players, coaches and fans all stood by us and I want to thank all of them for their prayers and support. For the government and ministtry, they ensured monies were paid on time and for the players, they gave their all, especially on the last day to ensure that we won and stayed in the top flight,” Awanen said.

    The General Manager also said the fans of the club come in for mention because despite the poor run of the club, they kept faith and didn’t give up on them.

    Dolphins experienced the same thing last season as they also needed a 2-0 win on closing day against Rising Stars to stay afloat.

    In last Sunday’s game, Emeka Atuloma’s effort was enough to keep the 1997, 2004 and 2011 League winners afloat.

  • Dolphins target victory in Lokoja

    Dolphins target victory in Lokoja

    Dolphins manager, Stanley Eguma believes his team can beat Glo leaders Kano Pillars in Lokoja today.

    Eguma admits the Sani Abacha Stadium had always been a frustrating venue for his side, but feels they could take advantage of Pillars banishment to Lokoja to upset the odds.

    He considers the Confluence Stadium more of a neutral ground, and is confident they have a bright chance of nicking the maximum points there.

    “Playing in Lokoja would be nice because it is difficult to beat Pillars in Kano, no matter how much effort you put in,” Eguma told supersport.com.

    “Lokoja is a neutral ground and both teams would have to fight hard for victory.

    “This is a 50-50 match and it is one we are capable of winning if the officiating is fair.

    “My team have improved on their overall play recently and I feel we have the quality to go there and win.

    “We are looking forward to getting a positive result from this game.”

    Dolphins have drawn five and lost 13 of their 18 away matches this season, while Pillars have not lost at home in the past 10 years.

    The Port Harcourt side are ninth in the NPFL with 50 points, 10 adrift of Pillars who are top of the standings.

  • Dolphins will dim Lobi Stars —Abubakar

    Dolphins will dim Lobi Stars —Abubakar

    There will be no hiding place for Lobi Stars in today’s Week 36 tie as we are good to take our own pound of flesh from them at the Garden City.”

    These were the words of a bitter Dolphins assistant coach, Hassan Abubakar 48-hours before the game.

    “I recall the drama that occurred on the pitch in Kastina-Ala, we should have won, as we had the game under control, but they got two penalties from the moon and at the end we lost it.

    “The game killed the state of mind of our players, for weeks they kept using the game as a reference point.

    “We are not a team that want to win by cheap means rather through good play and hard work, so the Markudi team should expect the best from Dolphins.”

    The Stanley Eguma side who are placed 12th on the log with 47points, head-to-head meetings of both team revealed Lobi Star taking six points from them in the 2011/12 season.

  • Boko Haram fear grips Dolphins

    Boko Haram fear grips Dolphins

    Dolphins coach Stanley Eguma has said his players fear they may be attacked by terrorists on their way for a league tie in Maiduguri.

    Dolphins face hosts El Kanemi on Wednesday in continuation of the Nigeria league.

    Eguma said that after reading of the incident that occurred on the Maiduguri road on Sunday, both the players and coaches are now too scared to travel.

    “We heard of the incident regarding a commuter bus attacked by Boko Haram and everyone in the bus was beheaded and slaughtered. It was in the news.

    “It’s a big risk to travel. The team is afraid and we really do not know what to do in this situation.

    “We tried to reach the League Management Company (LMC) chairman, but he is out of the country and we have tried to reach Shehu Dikko, who is part of the company but nothing forthcoming from all that.

    “We are scared to travel and may not go if we do not find the place or route safe for that kind of journey,” MTNFootball.com quoted the Dolphins coach as saying on Tuesday.

    Dolphins’ general manager, Dumbo Awanen, said the team may be forced to stay away from the game.

    Dolphins had been in Gombe for a week and stayed back for the Maiduguri game but with the recent spate of killings around Maiduguri, Awanen said the players are not willing to put their lives on the line.

    “Do we take the risk and go on that road? What is three points compared to the lives of thirty of us?” he asked rhetorically.

    “We are ready for the game but will not play it except certain conditions are met.”

    Awanen, who also played for the club in the 90s, said he had been in constant touch with members of the LMC who run the league but has got no positive feedback from them.

    “If we do not hear anything positive from them by Tuesday afternoon we will return to Port Harcourt and forfeit the three points and three goals since it is not worth the lives we have in our team,” he added.

     

  • Dolphins to remain in Gombe

    Dolphins to remain in Gombe

    Dolphins will not return to Port Harcourt after their 1-0 loss to Gombe United in one of the Globacom Premier League matches on Wednesday.

    The team is due to play El Kanemi in Maiduguri next Wednesday but rather than make the 20-hour journey back to Port Harcourt on Thursday and then make another 23-hour journey to Maiduguri on Monday, the team have decided to stay back.

    Media Officer of the club, China Acheru says the players held a meeting with the General Manager, Dumbo Awanen who thought it was a good idea.

    “Our General Manager, being a former player of the team certainly understands what players got through travelling across the country for games. I believe that after meeting with the players, between Awanen, Stanley Eguma and the sports commissioner, Fred Igwe it was agreed that the team stay behind rather than let the players face the trauma of making the combined total of 63 hours road trip in one week,” Acheru said.

    “At Dolphins, things may not be perfect but we always try to put the physical conditioning of our players ahead of any other thing. It will cost us some money but we also need to get a good result in Maiduguri so we do not need the players travel weary ahead of the game,” the media officer said.

    Dolphins have not picked up an away point this season in the northern part of Nigeria, save for the 1-1 draw in Ilorin in the first round of the league.

  • Kwara Utd pushed us to our limits -Dolphins

    Kwara Utd pushed us to our limits -Dolphins

    DOLPHINS FC Chief Coach, Hassan Abubakar has admitted that visiting Kwara United of Ilorin did push them to their limits in last Sunday’s match day 33 game at the Liberation Stadium.

    Emen Eduok’s 89th minute strike was all what the Garden City team needed as they took 4points from the maximum six in the away and home meeting against the Afonja Warriors.

    The former Golden Eaglets coach said:“The victory was just from God as we threw in all our arsenals and expertise into the game, but as the game seemed to be heading for a draw, Eduok’s goalgave us the win.

    “Credit too must go to Kwara United as they pushed us to our limits and I hope it doesn’t affect us in our game against Gombe United.

    “To be honest, these fixtures can be killing, play on Sunday and take the whole of Monday traveling for a mid-week game in Gombe then another trip to Borno State for the weekend match day 35 tie against El-Kanemi.

    “It would have been better for us if we made the trip to Maiduguri, but the League Management Company (LMC) in a directive said it wanted all outstanding matches to be played this weekend.

    “Nonetheless, we are professionals in this business, so I expect my players to put in their best come Wednesday.”

    Dolphins are currently placed 8th on the Globacom Premier League log with 47points.

  • Dolphins never stopped Kwara United’s pre-match training

    Dolphins never stopped Kwara United’s pre-match training

    The internet and social media has been awash with stories that hoodlums sent by Dolphins and the Rivers State Football Association stopped Kwara United from Training on Saturday at the Liberation Stadium.

    “This is not true and nothing has been farther from the truth than this. Kwara United trained at the main-bowl of the Port Harcourt Liberation Stadium from 4.30pm to about 6pm and then they returned their hotel so it is just mischief for them to say they were stopped from training. This kind of incident has never happened before a Dolphins home game even though we get it in a couple of our road trips.

    “When Kwara United got to the stadium it was locked because the security man with the key had gone to eat but before he got there after they called him an argument ensued when one of them suggested that they could train at the practice pitch and that was the cause of the whole incident

    “But as soon as our club secretary, Ahmed Abdulrahman heard about it he put a call through to the state FA Secretary, Benjamin Akubo who called the security to sort it out. The truth is that Ahmed Abdulrahman got there on time and ensued the gates were opened for them and only left after they finished training, so if Kwara United did not train, who did?

    “We believe they just tried to create headline news where there was none. Was their training delayed? Yes it was. It was delayed for 30 minutes because of the misunderstanding explained above. Were they stopped from training? Certainly not. Dolphins have never done that and do not intend to start now,” Acheru said.

  • Dolphins rue loss to Kaduna United

    Dolphins rue loss to Kaduna United

    DOLPHINS FC Chief Coach, Abubakar Hassan says the lone goal defeat against Kaduna Utd was hard for him to bear as they came close to recording a third draw on the road.

    Ali Adamu’s goal from a set-piece near Dolphins box in the closing quarter of the game denied the Stanley Eguma team a point for their hard work with the rains pouring down heavily in the course of the game.

    “We were close to sharing spoils against Kaduna United but a call I felt could have been direct free-kick turned out to be an indirect, and the Crocodiles’ Adamu scored the only goal from there.

    “By and large, the result does not reflect the hard work we put in the match.

    “We now must go and prepare for the game against Kwara United. So we must put in our best to see we take the maximum 3points at stake.”

    Recall the first leg meeting in Ilorin ended in a draw.