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Tag: Eguma

  • Eguma wants early preparation for Confederation Cup

    Eguma wants early preparation for Confederation Cup

    Dolphins of Port Harcourt Manager, Stanley Eguma has appealed to the Rivers State government and other well meaning people of the state to  ensure that the club sorts out issues relating to funds before the start of their continental pursuit in the CAF Confederation Cup.

    Eguma was also in charge of the Pride of Rivers when the club crashed out of the CAF Champions League in 2012 in the first round to Coton Sport Garoua of Cameroon after unrest in the team’s camp from players over outstanding debts before the first round first and second leg ties of the 2012 CAF Champions League ties ensured they didn’t progress beyond that stage.

    The head coach recalled that the players almost held the team to ransom over unpaid debts and refused to train and have adequate preparation for both legs against Canon Sport and the result was a close 2-1 home win and a narrow 0-1 loss away to exit on the away goal rule. With Dolphins on the continent again next year after finishing second behind Enyimba in the 2014 Federation Cup, Eguma has made a passionate call to the handler of the team to ensure that players entitlements are settled before the start of hostilities so that it doesn’t derail their ambition in the competition.

    The former U-23 coach stated that despite a turbulent season marred by players’ strike actions because of the failure to settle two seasons signing-on fees and match bonuses, Dolphins still tried to end the season well and a place on the continent is a fitting result of the hard work put into the team.

    “I cannot say that we had a bad season despite all we have been through because we were still able to qualify for the continent since 2012. We had it tough this year with the players not having enough motivation to play because of the debts owed them,” he said.

    “We did all within our reach to ensure we finish the season strongly. We are through to the continent and I will like the orientation to change this term. We were eliminated in 2012 because of issues relating to money and it will be fine if this is ironed out once and for all before the start of the competition. It won’t augur well for us to be kicked out again in the early stages because of our own errors.”

    Dolphins ended the season in the Premier League in ninth position with 55 points from 38 games but a second place finish in the Federation Cup where they narrowly lost 1-2 to Enyimba and booked their flight in the second tier CAF Confederation Cup with the People’s Elephant already assured of a place in the CAF Champions League. Enyimba finished second on the league table behind Kano Pillars in the just ended season.

  • Eguma: we must correct our errors

    Eguma: we must correct our errors

    •Dolphins to miss injured Austin Festus

    Dolphins’ head coach,Stanley Eguma has informed SportingLife that he has told his players to correct all the mistakes that marred their 1-3 away loss to Warri Wolves in a Premier League Week 28 tango last Wednesday.

    The coach told SportingLife that individual errors contributed to their away loss to the Seasiders and that based on the chat he had with the players shortly after the game in Warri,he has instructed them to be willing to play with all their might both home and away.

    Eguma told SportingLife that the warning to the players became necessary ahead of their home game with Nasarawa United in Port Harcourt on Sunday.

    The former U-23 coach reckoned that the Solid Miners would give them a good run for their money based on their present position on the log and that being one of their direct rivals to the league title, he further cautioned them against playing to the gallery.

    Eguma opined that only the three points would be accepting if the Port Harcourt Dwellers do not want to falter in their attempt to win the league.

    “We are back from Warri and we have put behind us our unimpressive result which ensured that we lost the game by 3-1. Warri Wolves were able to beat us because of some individual errors which gifted Gbolahan Salami the opportunity to score two goals. It was a bad  game for us but we must forget about it because we have a tough game against Nasarawa United this weekend.

    “Nasarawa United have shown us over the course of the season that they mean business and we must do everything possible to pin them down and get all the three points at stake. It won’t be easy but we are very positive of our chances,” Eguma told SportingLife.

    The top tactician has also disclosed that besides losing their Week 28 league tie to Warri Wolves that they also have a player: Austin Festus who sustained a fracture during the course of the match and would be unavailable .

  • Why Dolphins began pre-season early, by Eguma

    Why Dolphins began pre-season early, by Eguma

    Dolphins tactician Stanley Eguma has revealed why the Port Harcourt dwellers resumed for pre-season camping earlier than previous seasons.

    Dolphins only escaped relegation by the whiskers two seasons ago, barely a season after winning the league. Although they did not start well last season, they still ended in 9th position.

    Eguma, who marshalled the club’s league title three seasons ago, told SportingLife that the management of Dolphins had clear-the-air talks with the Rivers State Government on the way forward for the club ahead of the next season.

    He pointed out that early season camping and taking care of the players and coaches’ logistics are other issues the stakeholders raised which must be taken care of if Dolphins are to excel.

    The former Under 23 Assistant Coach revealed that it was this that informed the club’s choice of Oghara as their campsite since it would provide them the opportunity of training without distraction.

    He also added that there are plans for Dolphins to participate in pre-season tournaments with some other top clubs in the elite division in Warri on a yet-to-be-decided date.

    “We have done an appraisal of the problem that hampered Dolphins in the last two seasons. We initially noticed that the club’s woes started immediately after our participation in the 2011 CAF Champions League.

    “We have suggested to the Rivers government – our sponsors – that early camping and seeing to the welfare of the team should be a priority. It is the reason we are resuming our pre-season exercises earlier than expected. We have told about 10 players to leave and almost same numbers would be recruited.

    “We are hoping that a date for the start of the league would be made public soon, so that our preparations are not in any way affected,” Eguma told SportingLife from the club’s Oghara camp.

  • Eguma wants kick-off date extended

    Eguma wants kick-off date extended

    Dolphins manager, Stanley Eguma is adamant that one month will be inadequate for clubs to prepare for the new season.

    Eguma, who was reacting to the decision of the League Management Company (LMC) to start the 2013/14 Globacom Premier League (Glo league) season on November 22, believes a lot more time will be required to prepare the teams physically and mentally for the upcoming season.

    He told supersport.com: “A one-month break will not be enough because it is very important that the players get some time to rest after a long season. Then the coaches and the management need to strategise since the preparations have to do with finance.

    “It is also very important that we regroup at the right time to ensure each member of the team is heading in the same direction and I doubt if all these can be achieved within a month.”

    Eguma also urged the LMC to revisit the live broadcast of Globacom Premier League matches before the commencement of the new season.

    Even though the LMC has hinted there could be as many as five matches broadcast each weekend; Eguma insists the most contentious aspect of the live transmission has yet to be addressed.

    “I hope they have a another look at the live telecast of matches. As it stands, only matches in the southern part of the country are being televised while those in the north are never covered,” he told supersport.com.

    “Why cover some and leave out some others? Where is the fair play in the league? Some stadia are television friendly, while others are not. The standards have to cut across to ensure fairness. I think issues like this ought to be resolved before the start of the new season.”

  • Eguma allays relegation fears

    Eguma allays relegation fears

    Dolphins manager, Stanley Eguma is convinced his side have done enough to preserve their top flight status after they beat Lobi Stars 1-0 at the Liberation Stadium on Saturday.

    Emem Eduok scored the decisive goal in the 57th minute when he dribbled past Kingsley Ashu before sending a low drive past Daniel Atsaka.

    While Dolphins may not be mathematically safe from the drop on 50 points, Eguma believes the timing of the victory over Lobi would give them the momentum to secure safety in the concluding games.

    “We’re now sure we’ll remain in the top flight,” Eguma told supersport.com.

    “We hope to keep up this form and pick more points in the remaining games to finish respectably then plan ahead for next season.

    “Our form has picked up in the concluding stages, and I’m confident we can get a good result against Pillars in Lokoja and also in our final home game against Wikki Tourists.”

    Eguma, however, lamented his strikers wastefulness in front of goal.

    “This is a match we could have won with more goals, but my players were not business-like in front of goal especially in the first half.

    “In the second half we increased the tempo and got the goal, but we went to sleep after that. At this point in the league, most teams are going for goals because it could prove decisive in the end. I’m satisfied we got the three points and we’re working hard to improve our finishing in the remaining matches,” he said. Lobi Stars head coach, Evans Ogenyi, told supersport.com that Dolphins took their chance well and deserved to win.

    “A team that takes their chances wins matches and I’ve already congratulated Dolphins for their victory,” he said.

    “A match of this magnitude can go either way, and the team that has taken their chance has carried the day.”

    Dolphins have moved up to ninth on the NPFL log with 50 points, while Lobi Stars are 14th with 49 points. Both teams have played 36 matches.

  • 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.

     

  • Eguma explains grudge against referees

    Eguma explains grudge against referees

    Dolphins head coach, Stanley Eguma has explained why he always complains about referees especially when he loses.

    Eguma says it is not like he just wants to complain but that the referees have not been doing well.

    “People say I complain about referees but it is glaring that they are not doing well. They allow a lot of external influences to affect them and it is not good. I won’t complain if there is nothing to complain about. Our referees are trying but there are some who do not do well and it is those ones I complain about,” Eguma said.

    Just one Sunday, Dolphins managed a point on the road to Nembe City after the game ended 0-0.

    Eguma also added that he is satisfied with that point and that the team will continue to climb up the table if they can continue to pick points on the road like that.

    “I am happy for the draw and though it was a difficult game, I believe if we can continue to pick points like this we will move up the table,” Eguma said.

    Dolphins now have 41 points from 30 games and are currently 10th on the Nigeria Professional Football League table.

  • Nigerian clubs must stop road trips – Eguma

    Nigerian clubs must stop road trips – Eguma

    Manager of the Nigeria Premier League side Dolphins, Stanley Eguma, believes the car crash suffered by Kano Pillars gaffer, Baba Ganaru, on Thursday highlighted the dangers players and officials of clubs campaigning in the domestic league face as a result of consistent road trips.

    Teams in the NPL honour games by road irrespective of the distances they have to cover and Eguma is shocked at the practice, supersport.com reports.

    “It is no secret that most roads in Nigeria are riddled with risks and difficulties. I don’t understand why all teams travel by road despite the dangers they face,” Eguma told supersport.com.

    The gaffer then took the time to discuss his plans on getting things up to speed in the NPL in that regard.

    “With effective marketing and branding, we can get corporate bodies and well-meaning individuals to partner with our cubs.

    “These sponsors would make the monies available and things will change.

    “The current situation does not allow teams to effectively express themselves, “he added.

     

  • Eguma: Dolphins will win the league in second round

    Eguma: Dolphins will win the league in second round

    Dolphins of Port Harcourt Manager, Stanley Eguma, has declared that the assuring words of the Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi that the players signing-on fees and other entitlements would be settled very soon would motivate his wards to target the Globacom Premier League title in the second round.

    The Port Harcourt side won the league two seasons ago but they had a shaky start to the current campaign after the players’ entitlements problem especially the signing-on fees for last and this seasons have not made the team to perform at optimum.

    Eguma in a telephone chat from Port Harcourt admitted that they struggled during the first stanza because of internal problem occasioned by the inability of the players to get their emolument for the past season till date.

    The former U23 coach however noted that the reassuring words from the number one citizen of Rivers State have calmed the players down and they are looking forward to the second stanza with the firm promise to make amends for their first stanza shortcomings.

    “The first stanza is over. It was mixed feelings for us at Dolphins. We had good and bad times as well. We should have done better than we did. We had adequate preparation but internal problem was our undoing. We had challenges with the welfare of our players. Their outstanding bills ranging from the signing-on fees and others have not been paid.

    “I am happy to inform you that the governor has spoken himself to see to its payment as soon as possible. I know he is a man of his words and that very soon the players would smile.

    “We hope to overcome our problems during the second stanza and strive to see how we can cover lost ground and still win the league. If we are unable to, we will be happy getting a continental ticket. I believe we have a good team and with no distractions the players can perform very well.

    “We are only going to ask few players to go to another club for low productivity and also buy only few in,” Eguma said.

     

  • I am not a cry baby — Eguma

    I am not a cry baby — Eguma

    Dolphins manager, Stanley Eguma insists he’s not a cry baby and has vowed never to complain about referees in the Globacom Premier League again.

    Eguma has been accused severally of crying foul over refereeing decisions whenever his side come up short in the Glo League but the Dolphins gaffer has firmly rejected such notions.

    Speaking to supersport.com after his side were held to a 1-1 draw by champions, Kano Pillars on Matchday 17, Eguma admitted that the Port Harcourt club did not get the rub of the green but also promised that it would be the last time he would complain about refereeing in the league.

    “We got a penalty (that wasn’t given by the referee) and had a perfectly good goal disallowed against Pillars but I have decided not to talk about referees again. I have been accused of always complaining when we don’t win but when these things happen, it is difficult not to raise one’s voice,” an angry Eguma told supersport.com.

    Dolphins, three-time Glo League champions, currently sit in sixth place on the log with 25 points from 17 games and travel to Bauchi to face Wikki Tourists on Thursday. Eguma is banking on his wards claiming all three points from that encounter.

    “Everyone knows how difficult it is to win an away match in the league but I trust my players. If everything is right in Bauchi, we will win because we have proved we are one of the best sides in the league this season,” he said.