The Nation Newspaper

Tag: SHARKS

  • Blue Angels return to Sharks Stadium

    Blue Angels return to Sharks Stadium

    Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) club, Sharks, will return to the Sharks FC Stadium ahead of their match day 16 contest against Nasarawa United on Sunday.

    The Blue Angels have been playing their league games at the Port-Harcourt Liberation Stadium in past weeks but will now return to their original home ground for Sunday’s game against the Lafia-based club.

    Captain of Sharks, Odinga Odinga, says the news represents ”a welcome development” for the club as they intensify their quest to move up the bottom of the standings.

    “Yes, we will play our next home game against Nasarawa United on Sunday at the Sharks Stadium. We just got the news from the League Management Company (LMC) on Friday and I can tell you that this is a welcome development,” the Sharks skipper told supersport.com.

    Sharks are currently bottom of the 20-team NPFL with 11 points from 15 games and Odinga identifies financial difficulties faced earlier in the campaign as one of the main reasons for their less than impressive start to the season.

    “We suffered too much at the beginning of the season due to lack of funds but things are different now. The players have all been paid and the boys are ready to give their all.

    “The new governor (of Rivers State, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike) has done very well to offset debts owed us within three weeks of his administration and it’s a pointer that things will be different from now on.

    “The fact that we have now returned to the Sharks Stadium will also help our cause to avoid relegation. Sharks belong to the top division and we cannot contemplate relegation,” he said. Sharks have won only one game in 15 attempts this season.

  • Orji happy with point at Sharks

    Orji happy with point at Sharks

    Heartland chief coach, Bethel Orji, has approved as quite satisfactory the score draw at Sharks.

    The Naze Millionaires were forced to a 1-1 draw by the Garden City landlords in a Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match day 14 clash on Sunday, at the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt.

    NPFL top scorer Bright Ejike scored the match opener while Fortune Omoniwari evened scores for the home side in the dying minute of the encounter.

    Orji said his wards could have done better if they had normal preparation without the distraction over the cash crunch crisis.

    “It’s a good result for us given the crisis that preceded the game with threat of boycott and inadequate preparation.

    “I think picking a point on the road in such circumstances and against no mean an opponents, Sharks is good.

    “I’m certain we could have done far better than we performed if everything had been in the right places for us.

    “Sharks are good and experienced side, they actually gave good account of themselves in the encounter.

    “Football is a 90 minutes game, we scored quite early in the game, held on until the hosts pulled the equaliser in the dying minutes of the game,” said the former Enyimba Feeders and OUK coach to supersport.com.

    The shared points at Sharks takes the Owerri outfit’s total earnings to 22 from a possible 42 in the 14-week old Nigerian top flight.

  • Wike renews promise to Dolphins, Sharks, Rivers Angels

    Wike renews promise to Dolphins, Sharks, Rivers Angels

    Rivers State governor, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has renewed his vow to pay the debts owed by the state to players of Dolphins, Sharks and Rivers Angels this week.

    Last Wednesday, the governor sent a message through the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Sports that all teams will be paid todayand on Saturday, he confirmed that monies had been released to make payment possible.

    Speaking live on a privately-owned radio station in Port Harcourt on Saturday morning, Wike said he was aware the players of the clubs had not been paid for eight months.

    “How do they perform well if they have not been paid for so long? We looked at it that these young men and women cannot continue suffering this way and it was based on this that we said we must pay them,” Wike said.

    The governor added that his predecessor refused to pay, saying the clubs must generate their own funds but he didn’t think the time was right for that.

    “The former governor said they should pay themselves, but how can they do that? We own the clubs for now, and we sponsor them so have to pay them their salaries.

    “When the Permanent Secretary told me they haven’t been paid for eight months, I did everything I could to see that we get funds to pay them,” the governor said.

  • Sharks, Dolphins no longer attractive, says Eguma

    Sharks, Dolphins no longer attractive, says Eguma

    Dolphins manager Stanley Eguma insists the allure of playing for Sharks and Dolphins is fast disappearing as a result of recent financial troubles.

    The two clubs currently languish in the relegation zone of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and Eguma reckons failure to strengthen both squads could prove costly in the long run.

    “When footballers hear that players of Sharks and Dolphins go as far as sleeping in front of the Government House (in Port Harcourt) before they get paid, it becomes almost impossible to convince them to join the clubs,” Eguma told supersport.com.

    The trainer however expressed belief that “things will change for the better” with a new administration in Rivers State; sponsors of Sharks and Dolphins.

    “Everybody knows that the new governor of Rivers State, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, is a fan of Sharks and Dolphins. I am sure that now that he’s in charge, things will change for the better and the two clubs will continue to climb out of the relegation zone,” he said.

    “I told my players in our last training session that if we are to escape relegation at the end of the season, drawing matches will not help us.”

  • Sharks continue to struggle, draw 1-1 with Giwa

    Sharks continue to struggle, draw 1-1 with Giwa

    Sharks were unable to halt their sluggish start to the Glo Premier League season after managing a 1-1 draw with Giwa FC at the Liberation Stadium in Port Harcourt.

    With just one win all season, Gbenga Ogunbote’s men were under pressure to add three more points to their bag but it was always going to be difficult against the opponents on the day, Giwa FC, unbeaten in seven League matches.

    The home team started better and had a chance in the second minute, Yusuf Jayeola’s over-the-top ball perfectly meeting the run of Jackson Daniel. The striker tried to lob the onrushing keeper but his touch was weak and unable to go beyond the reach of Achimugwu Friday.

    After a period of sustained pressure, that saw Obomate and Daniel come close, they eventually took the lead from the first corner kick of the game. Obomate’s free kick met the head of Jayeola who directed the ball into the top right corner to give the hosts their first goal in three matches.

    A minute later, Obomate could have doubled the lead but Achimugwu tipped his strike from 25 yards over the crossbar. What followed was a series of chances all of which Sharks failed to convert. Jackson Daniel ghosted past his marker and forced the keeper to a good save. Omoniwari had his chance from just outside the box but yet again Achimugwu showed safe hands.

    The visitors were barely offering any threat of their own as they barely left their half with Sharks maintaining their attacking tempo. Obomate was next with his shot that looked headed in save for Achimugwu’s big palms. They would be made to pay for those misses as Giwa went ahead with their first attack of the game. Moses Awala on his return to the team, handled Henlong’s cross in the area and the referee awarded the spot kick. Henlong neatly converted.

    Sharks came out stronger in the second half but a resolute Giwa backline kept their keeper untroubled and limiting Sharks to strikes from outside the box. Jackson Daniel, Fortune Omoniwari and Yomi Olaoke all had long range strikes all of which flew harmlessly over the bar.

  • Sharks arrive Ijebu Ode for pre season

    Sharks arrive Ijebu Ode for pre season

    Sharks FC of Port Harcourt have arrived Ijebu Ode ahead of their pre season programmes and are expected to spend up to three weeks before returning to their base.

    The Blue Angels collapsed with their aspirations towards the lattar part of last season but they started the season well and were even tipped to snatch one of the continental slots.

    Under head coach Gbenga Ogunbote, Sharks are striving to seek back their identity that made them fearsome in the second stanza of two seasons ago and the first stanza of last season and they have settled for the cosy, silent region of Ijebu Ode to have pre season games and bond properly ahead of the new season.

    The Media Officer of the club, Peter Abaje and head coach, Gbenga Ogunbote in separate chats with SportingLife  expressed their confidence that the Blue Angels would bounce back in the coming season.

    “The club has resumed for pre season and we are presently in Ijebu Ode to prepare for the new season. We are done with the challenges of the last season and we are expecting this coming season to usher us the opportunity to correct the ills of last season,” Abaje told SportingLife.

  • Sharks: Our ordeal in Jos

    Sharks: Our ordeal in Jos

    The match between Giwa FC and Sharks FC in week 33 of the Nigeria Professional Football League was called off due to violent conduct by fans of Giwa FC, according to Sharks FC officials in a release.

    The game was goalless at half time when trouble started.

    According to Sharks FC media officer, Peter Abaje in a release made available to SportingLife: “The players and match officials were going back to their dressing rooms, when some angry Giwa fans blocked referee K.S. Akinwale  and started beating him up for not awarding a penalty to Giwa. They also gave him an ultimatum that if they do not get a penalty in the second half, he will not go unpunished. It took the intervention of two military officers to rescue the referee from the fans.

    “On resumption of play in the second half, Sharks re-started the game with their brilliant passing style which left the Giwa players searching for the ball. The Blue Angels continued to press hard thereby causing some section of the supporters to turn their allegiance to the away side because of their brilliant passing game. Just after the hour mark, the referee awarded a penalty kick to Giwa FC.

    “The penalty happened when Gabriel Olalekan of Sharks jumped to head  the ball from the Giwa half, in the process a big stone was thrown at him by a Giwa fan and while trying to gain his balance with blood all over his face, the Giwa player threw himself at Gabriel and the referee wasted no time in awarding a penalty to the homers, no thanks to the slap and death threat he received from angry home supporters during the interval. Sharks players, however, protested against the penalty, and refused to continue playing while on the field of play.

    “Our players also called for the attention of the match commissioner and security operatives to the stones that were thrown onto the pitch, and it did not take long before the centre referee went to the centre half and called off the game.  Sharks players and officials were guarded out of the stadium by security men and could not stay in Jos that night due to security concerns.

    “The match commissioner is a pastor and as a man of God he will not be diplomatic with the truth.

    “We just hope that the LMC guy clement will be sincere enough to tell his people in Abuja what he saw and what the match commissioner told him about the slaps the referee got from fans,” Abaje said in a release sent to SportingLife.

  • Sharks end Pillars’ 3-year jinx

    Sharks end Pillars’ 3-year jinx

     • Beat Sai Masu Gida 1-0 in Port Harcourt

    Sharks FC of Port Harcourt recorded its first win over Kano Pillars in three years after defeating the visitors 1-0 in the Week 32 Glo Premier League clash in Port-Harcourt on Sunday.

    Fortune Omoniwari scored the only goal that separated the two sides on the half hour mark, poking in a loose ball in the Pillars’ area after the visitors had failed to properly clear a corner kick.

    The visitors will have themselves to be blamed for the defeat and for leaving Port Harcourt empty handed despite the amount of chances they created.

    Omoniwari was used in place of the injured Ifeanyi Inyam and was one of the four changes Sharks made to the team that lost in midweek to Enyimba FC of Aba. Michael Ezekiel, Gabriel Olalekan and Thompson Stowe were the other three.

    The three years hoodoo hanging around Sharks was obvious in the opening stages as waves and waves of attack from the Champions locked them in their own half. Hassan Adamu had a chance on the fourth minute after being set up by Moses Ekpa but he fired wide.  Adamu then beat the Sharks goalkeeper Danladi Isah from a nicely weighted ball from the right but Gabriel Olalekan cleared from off the line. Eneji fired at Isah moments later but the goalkeeper parried then caught the ball at a second attempt.

    Having somehow weathered the pressure, Sharks began to create their own chances. Madu volleyed from outside the area after being set up by Stowe but Theophilus Afelokhai dived to the right, making a good save.

    The Blue Angels could have gotten their second goal when Odinga’s strike fired from 30 yards was handled by Zango Umar. The referee and his assistant saw it and a spot kick was awarded. Christian Pyagbara stepped up but his effort hit the crossbar with Afelokhai beaten.

    Pillars attempted to respond but an alert Jamiu Alimi blocked Hassan Adamu’s strike inside the area. Sharks went close at the other end Obomate firing wide from a Sharks counter.

    Both teams began the second half from where they ended the first. Omoniwari squared for Pyagbara but the striker blasted wide. Abdul Haruna, a second half substitute sent a free kick narrowly wide.

    Afelokhai pushed away Madu Chiamaka’s volley while Tammy Tams fired wide after being set up by Obomate. There were more chances created by both sides but the strikers were having an off day, none being able to convert.

  • SOUTH SOUTH DERBY: Sharks won’t escape defeat -Adeleye

    SOUTH SOUTH DERBY: Sharks won’t escape defeat -Adeleye

    GBENGA ADELEYE  of Nembe City has expressed confidence ahead of Sunday’s south south clash against Sharks FC in  theWeek 30 Glo Premier League match.   The first leg encounter in Omoku ended goalless.

    “We are in Port-Harcourt to take all three points and nothing can stop us,” Adeleye told Sportinglife. “Playing in Port-Harcourt is just like playing at home so we won’t be intimidated by the home fans. Since we are playing in Omoku (our adopted home) which is not far from Port-Harcourt, there is no cause for alarm.

    “A section of their fans (Sharks) expect an easy run over us. We will surprise them come Sunday. We won’t engage them in noise making; we will do our noise making on the field of play.”

      The basement club lost 1-2 to Giwa FC in Jos mid-week in a re-scheduled week 18 game.  “We won’t underrate Sharks because they are also a good side but they are beatable at home. Our mission in Port-Harcourt is to take the three maximum points against the blue angels,” he said.

  • Yusuf sticks with same players against Sharks

    Yusuf sticks with same players against Sharks

    •Adewale, Mohammed to start

    El Kanemi Warriors Technical Adviser, Salisu Yusuf is planning to make use of the same squad he paraded against Crown FC when they host Sharks FC of Port Harcourt on Sunday in a Week 29 Glo Premier League at the Kano Pillars Stadium, Sabongari, Kano.

    SportingLife gathered that the duo of Kabiru Adewale and Tasiu Mohammed will be in the starting line up against the Blue Angels.

    The club’s media officer, Anthony Obaseki said the team will come out with a different pattern despite fielding same squad.

    “I want to inform you that we are going to use the same players that played against Crown FC but we will come out with a different pattern. Kabiru Adewale and Tasiu Mohammed. They were part of the team that travelled to Ibadan. They were also impressive in the team’s last training session. Tasiu came in the second half in Ibadan . Adewale is starting the match against Sharks he has been one of our super subs,” Obaseki told SportingLife.

    Meanwhile the team’s second leading goal scorer Abraham Audu is of the hope that he will score more goals to increase his tally. Audu has scored five goals so far this season.

    “I am happy I will be in the team on Sunday. My target is to score more goals. I am not underrating Sharks and I am in top form, remember we lost to Sharks 2-0 in Port-Harcourt, so it is our turn to take our full points, they score us with two penalties.”

    The team will miss the services of Suleiman Abdullahi who got a red card against Crown on Wednesday, also out is Ibrahim Mustapha.