The Nation Newspaper

Tag: SHARKS

  • Sharks’ Kayode Johnson set to win in Port Harcourt

    Sharks’ Kayode Johnson set to win in Port Harcourt

    Former Nigerian-born Qatar international Kayode Johnson now with Sharks Football Club of Port Harcourt is looking forward to an eventful season with the team after almost a decade sojourn in oil rich Qatar.

    Johnson, whose playing career in Qatar took him to teams like AL Gharafa Sports Club, Al-Ahli where he played alongside current Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola and Al Shamal Sports Club and as well as the Junior national team where he bagged a handful of goals in competitive games and the senior national team though in friendly capacity has also promised to bring his experience to bare in Sharks.

    The former Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan attacker said playing in Qatar has taught him some lessons about the game which according to him will come handy when he gets the chance to play for Sharks this season.

    “Bros, 12 years in oil rich Qatar is no joke and you can only be trusted with a club jersey if you are good, though there were challenges initially I am happy I was able to weather the storm to get to where I am today through determination and commitment”, Johnson said.

    “And I want to contribute my experience to the progress of sharks in the league because as know the club is yet to win any major silverware since it was founded.”

    He praised the technical adviser of Sharks FC Gbenga Ogunbote for the excellent job he is doing in Port Harcourt attributing his coming to Sharks to the technical prowess of coach Ogunbote.

    “I must confess I am impressed with what coach Ogunbote is doing here, he is sound technically and his relationship with his players is second to none.”

    “To be candid if not for coach Ogunbote maybe I would not have been here, the man is just so down to earth I am not sure if his likes are many in the domestic scene”, Johnson added

    Kayode Johnson, who at some point in his career in Qatar was called Jamaal Johar, played his first match for Sharks in the one -nil loss to Gombe United at the Pantami stadium over the weekend.

  • Dolphins, Sharks players appeal to Rivers Govt

    Dolphins, Sharks players appeal to Rivers Govt

    PLAYERs of Dolphins and Sharks Football Clubs have appealed to the Rivers State Government to pay up their last season’s signing-on fees so as to reduce their sufferings and put them in the best shape for the start of the Glo Premier League season.

    The two Port Harcourt-based teams also had similar problems two seasons ago and they only got paid when last season was already in full swing.

    But the players that volunteered to speak to SportingLife under cover for fear of victimisation opined that it would be best for the Rivers government to release funds for the offset of their signing on fees.

    Both clubs did not perform to their full potential last season as they were placed in the middle of the table unlike previous seasons when they finished among the best five clubs in the land because of the payment of their signing-on fees on time.

    Neither Dolphins nor Sharks would be representing Nigeria on the continent as they also crashed out in the early stages of the Federation Cup last season.

  • Sharks set cup target for Ogunbote

    Sharks set cup target for Ogunbote

    Sharks have said they expect coach Gbenga Ogunbote to at least win the Federation Cup to qualify the club for international football.

    The Port Harcourt club’s only major piece of silverware since they were founded in 1972 was the 2010 WAFU Cup. They have thrice been finalists in the Nigeria FA Cup, now known as the federation Cup.

    Sharks general manager, Okey Kpaluku said Ogunbote’s contract has been renewed after his initial season with the side and he has been given the mandate to win the league or at least secure a continental ticket.

    “We have renewed his contract and we have set a target for him. We’ve told him this time around we must win the league, get a continental ticket or get the FA Cup. Anything short of that means we have failed our fans,” Kpaluku said.

    Last season, Ogunbote took over Sharks when they were stuck at the bottom of the table following the sensational departure of Austin Eguavoen, but the former Sunshine Stars handler was able to guide them to finish eighth by the end of the campaign.

  • Ogunbote thrilled with contract extension

    Ogunbote thrilled with contract extension

    • Says Sharks will be stronger next season

    Sharks of Port Harcourt’s head coach Gbenga Ogunbote has expressed relief at another opportunity to tinker the Blue Angels for another season in the Globacom Premier League.

    Ogunbote last worked with Sunshine Stars before joining Sharks some weeks after the start of last season’s league. He teamed up with the Port Harcourt side with the club at the foot of the table but ensured they climbed the league table. The Blue Angels ended the season in 8th position with 53 points from 38 matches.

    The former Gateway United helmsman informed SportingLife from Sharks’ Ijebu Ode pre-season camp that he is looking forward to a more fruitful time with Sharks next season.

    He said some players whose services were no longer needed had been advised to seek playing time elsewhere while capable replacements are being sought around the country.

    “We are going to stay for about two more weeks in Ijebu and things have been going well for us here. We are going to have pre-season games against some local sides before we will look at other clubs in the top flight at the tail end of our camping.

    “I will be in Port Harcourt for another season having duly negotiated and agreed an extension to my contract.

    “I’m happy to be here and by God’s grace I hope to lead the club to more successes next season,” Ogunbote told SportingLife.

  • Rangers task Obuh

    Rangers task Obuh

    Enugu Rangers have appointed former Flying Eagles coach John Obuh as coach with the task of winning a trophy for them.

    Obuh replaces Okey Emordi, who quit his post on the final day of the past season. Obuh promised at his presentation to halt Rangers almost three decades barren run of trophies.

    “It is an honour for me to be saddled with the task of leading Rangers back to the trophy-winning side it used to be. It’s a big challenge, which I hope to carry out successfully,” he vowed.

    Obuh has long been linked with Rangers ever since he quit as coach of the country’s U-20 team, but several Rangers top officials have denied this connection.

    Obuh has coached several clubs including Sharks, Kwara United, Niger Tornadoes and Wikki Tourists.

  • Gunmen attack Sharks captain, Odinga Odinga

    Sharks captain, Odinga Odinga escaped death on Monday afternoon when he was attacked by gunmen in Agbor-Nchia, near Port Harcourt.

    Confirming the incident to supersport.com, Odinga said one of the gunmen was Sharks attacker, Adurlur Nwaka.

    Odinga said he was accosted by Nwaka and four gun-wielding individuals believed to be his friends inside a supermarket where the Sharks skipper was doing some shopping.

    “It was a scary incident as Nwaka said he was bent ‘gaining revenge’ over an incident that occurred in the past. His license was recently withdrawn at the club by officials and he blamed me for it,” Odinga told supersport.com.

    The Sharks captain was eventually rescued by men of the Nigeria Police who promptly reacted to the situation.

    “I want to thank God for sparing my life and also the Police for the swift manner in which the reacted and doused a potentially fatal situation,” he said.

    The five gunmen escaped as soon as the Police arrived at the scene.

  • Igwe commends Sharks, Dolphins FC

    Igwe commends Sharks, Dolphins FC

    At the start of the 2012/2013 season, so much was expected from Sharks FC and Dolphins FC of Port Harcourt. But at the end of the season, while Sharks survived the drop on the eve of the last round of matches, after languishing at the bottom of the twenty-team table, sisters club, Dolphins had to wait for a final day victory over Wikki Tourist to beat relegation.

    Despite the performances of both teams which were devoid of continental silverware, Rivers State Commissioner of Sports, Hon Fred Igwe has 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 continental football from either of the teams but that did not happen be as it may, I’m still happy they finished in the top ten bracket of the twenty-team table, don’t forget four teams were relegated,” Igwe said.

    “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 to 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.

    “Once again, I’m happy with what you have done, (management of both teams) but you have to redouble your effort by bringing quality leg to the team to ensure better appearance next season,” he said.

  • Sharks have nothing to lose

    Sharks have nothing to lose

    Sharks coach Gbenga Ogunbote has told Enyimba that his team head into the final match of the season with “nothing to lose.” The Port Harcourt side travel to Aba with their safety in the NPFL already guaranteed mathematically after hitting 53 points on Wednesday, and Ogunbote reckons Sharks would play a “relaxed” game.

    He told supersport.com that it is Enyimba that need the points to qualify for the CAF Champions League and would be playing under pressure.

    “I don’t want to talk much about the game, but we have nothing to lose having secured our place in the premier league,” Ogunbote said.

    “I had always said we intended to finish in a comfortable position,and by that I meant any position between the first and ninth positions.

    “Enyimba are the ones that desperately need the points (for Champions League qualification) and would be under pressure to deliver.

    “We would be playing in a relaxed mood,while they would be playing under pressure.”

    Ogunbote could even afford some humour when he added: “I can assure you that if you’re there (at the Enyimba International Stadium), Enyimba would beg us.”

    The former Sunshine Stars gaffer admitted they were disappointing against Rangers in their last away game and that he was expecting a better game in Aba.

    “We were careless against Rangers, conceding a goal within the opening four minutes,” he said.

    “It takes a team of very strong character to recover from that.

    “However, I believe most of the mistakes we made have been corrected. It is a learning process and hopefully we have moved on from there. I’m looking forward to a good game against Enyimba.”

    Sharks are sixth on the NPFL table with 53 points, while Enyimba are fourth with 59 points after 37 rounds of matches.

  • Ogunbote finally guides Sharks to safety

    Ogunbote finally guides Sharks to safety

    Gbenga Ogunbote has finally stated he has steered Sharks to safety after their 3-1 defeat of Nasarawa United on Wednesday at the Sharks Stadium.

    Ogunbote had always remained cautious on his team’s remarkable rise from the foot to the top half of the Glo log, but he has now declared them safe with a game left to play.

    “I can tell you authoritatively that we are safe, and I’m sure we’ll end up within the top the 10. We have given a lap of honour to our fans to show appreciation for their support during the trying times, and we hope to build on this performance next season,” he told supersport.com.

    “The game (against Nasarawa United) has been won and lost, but the most important thing is that we have registered our place in the premier league next season.”

    He said he was satisfied they defeated the Solid Miners despite his team being seriously depleted by injuries.

    “We played without most of our key players, but we played to win and we have won. There was no attacking midfielder in my team today because none was available, so we are making best use of the worst situation. Our tactics were just geared towards victory and if not for careless moments we ought not to have conceded any goal,” he told supersport.com.

    United technical consultant, Kadiri Ikhana lamented his sides profligacy adding that it was the biggest challenge he had faced since joining the team.

    “Despite the loss, I’m satisfied with the performance of my boys,” he told supersport.com.

    “My only worry is that we failed to covert our chances. This has been the problem in almost all our matches.”

    Sharks had little problems stamping their authority in the early exchanges and deservedly went ahead in the 3rd minute when Fortune Omoniwari nodded in Odinga Odinga’s delivery from the right wing.

    Ezeoha Okereke doubled the lead on 25 minutes after latching on to Christian Pyagbara’s through ball.

    United had two gilt edged opportunities to come back into the game, but they were wasted by Ishaya Anyu and Victor Namo in the 40th and 52nd minutes respectively. They were punished for the misses on 75 minutes when Omoniwari headed home off a corner for Sharks third.

    United substitute Musa Adamu scored a consolation goal with four minutes left on the clock. Sharks are now 6th in the Glo with 53 points, while Nasarawa United are 17th with 49 points after 37 rounds of matches.

  • Sharks tie a must-win game

    Sharks tie a must-win game

    Enugu Rangers midfielder, Ugonna Uzochukwu has described his side’s Glo Premier League Matchday 36 duel against Sharks on Saturday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu as a must-win game .

    The Coal City side were pipped 0-1 in the first fixture at the Sharks Stadium, Port Harcourt by the resurgent Blue Angels side.

    Uzochukwu said his teammates have resolved to grab the three points in the encounter largely to protect their hard-earned names.

    “The incentives to win the game are not there right now but for our prestige we’ve tagged the encounter a must-win match for us.

    “Our image will suffer a heavy blow for us to sit back and allow Sharks to make it a double here in Enugu.

    “It will amount to a grave sin to us and the next generation should that happen, so we’ve decided to push to the background whatever low we’re facing at the moment to give the game our very best and to ensure we emerge victorious at the end,” said the defensive midfielder to supersport.com.

    Uzochukwu is hopeful his side will pick one of the continental slots in the ongoing league season.

    “We’re taking our steps gradually, first we’ll pick the maximum points against Sharks on Saturday then proceed to Owerri on Wednesday to confront Heartland hopefully to grab full points and wrap it up with another win against El-Kanemi Warriors in Enugu.

    “I strongly believe the continental ticket is achievable this term, at least, Confederation Cup,” Uzochukwu said.

    The Flying Antelopes are sixth on the log on 52 points.