Nigeria Sports Arena

  Dolphins lost 3-1 to Heartland at the Rojenny Stadium on Sunday in the Nigeria Professional Football League.   Heartland, playing at their adopted home ground went ahead as early as the 4th minute when Collins Nwaneri latched in on a rebound from a freekick.   The Dolphins wall and back line had left keeper Ayalogu exposed after he punched the freekick down.   The first half ended 1-0 in favour of the home side.   Ghanaian, Godbless Asamoah drew Dolphins level in the 53rd minute and at this time, it seemed the visitors would get a result.   Bright Ejike, who had a relatively quiet game, put the homers 2-1 up in the 78th minute.   A throw in from the flanks was not cleared out of danger by the Dolphins defence and the ball fell to the feet of Ejike, who took his time to curl the ball beyond the reach of the goalkeeper.   Three minutes later, Godbless Asamoah was sent off for a second bookable offence as he raised his leg too high ...

Dolphins Football Club on Sunday became the first club in the Nigerian league to draw in Kano this season and players/ officials of the club have dedicated the point to Governor Nyesom Wike.   After going two goals down, Dolphins rallied round to end the encounter 2-2 and Media Manager, China Acheru says it was the payments made to players just three days before the game that geared them up.   “I have always said that a well paid players does not guarantee success, but one thing you are sure of is that they will be focused on their immediate assignment,” Acheru said.   “For eight months the team had lacked focus as players and officials were either running from creditors, their landlords or not able to pay school fees for their kids.   “However, with what happened in Port Harcourt last week and all debts seemingly paid, the boys can stay focused and we are happy we did the near impossible on Sunday in Kano,” Acheru said.  ...

Following a conclusive investigation of the very first formal complaint by a player on breach of contractual agreement by his club, the League Management Company (LMC) has moved to sanction a club invoking extant provisions of the Nigeria Professional Football League Rules and Frameworks 2014/2015 season. Emeka Atuloma of Dolphins FC filed the complaint dated May 25, 2015, against his employers citing non-payment of his salary since the commencement of the 2014/15 season which kicked off on March 8. The LMC has therefore charged Dolphins FC with breach of contract with not only the complainant player, but with all its players following the club’s own admission vide a letter dated June 12, 2015, that no player of the club has received his salaries  during the period which has exceeded the 60 days cap. The LMC in a letter dated June 19, 2015 notified the Management of Dolphins that they are in breach of Article B9.45 which they must remedy within 60 days or be...

  Dolphins’ full back, Jonathan Zikiye has explained his 35 yard strike in Jalingo against FC Taraba last Wednesday.   Zikiye got the ball in his own half, took a step forward and shot the ball from distance to beat Chinedu Kawawa in goal for FC Taraba.   “I wasn’t really expecting to score but when the ball came, I gave it a try and then saw it in the net.   “Actually, I called for the ball and when it came, I touched it once and looked up to see the keeper off his line and I gave it a try,” Zikiye said.   Zikiye expressed his joy at the goal in a league that he calls “a difficult one.”   “I’m happy and excited because it is not easy for a defender to score in a difficult league and that was my second goal of the season."   Zikiye adds that he cannot join those who say his goal can be the best this season.   “I have not yet watched the clips of the goal so I cannot judge ...

  After the 2-0 loss to Akwa United in Uyo on Sunday, Dolphins coach, Stanley Eguma has promised that he and his team will work harder.   Eguma described it as a good game but adds that he will not blame his players for the penalty they conceded in the first half but adds that they lost concentration.   “The loss of concentration cost is the game but I have to exonerate them for the penalty.   “They fought hard but couldn’t control that penalty they conceded. I think it wasn’t a bad game. We have lost today but we must go back and work harder for subsequent games,” Eguma said   Zachary Baraje of Akwa United said he will only agree that things are even when they go away from home to get a point or three.   “Today’s victory will certainly help in building the confidence my boys are losing, but by the time we pick a point away, I think I will have a better team,” Baraje said.   Dolphins next play Lobi Stars in Port Harcourt on Sunday, May 3,...

  A controversial goal in added time by Prince Aggrey gave Sunshine Stars a 2-1 win over Dolphins in the league on Sunday evening at the Akure Township stadium.   It was a game Dolphins drew last season and when Chiwendu Ali put the Pride of Rivers ahead after 37 minutes it seemed like another day in the office for the 2011 league winners.   Ayo Saka turned round his marker in midfield and passed to Victor Alegbe who in turn freed Ifeanyi Egwim on the left.   Egwim’s cross who struck in ferociously by Chiwendu in only his second game for Dolphins after joining from National Division One side, Go Round FC.   Two minutes later, referee, John Charles called a penalty for Sunshine after a Dolphins defender was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box, but Tunji Adeniyi shot the kick wide.   At half time, Sunshine Stars coach, Kennedy Boboye brought in Dele Olorundare and he made his impact felt two minutes later.   Joseph Douhadji f...

Players of Dolphins FC, led by their captain, Sunday Rotimi have tendered an apology to the club management, Nigerians and people of Rivers State.   Dolphins failed to travel on time for a CAF Confederation game last weekend in Tunisia as players refused to get on the bus to the airport because they wanted more than they were offered as out of station allowance, or estacode as it is more popularly called in Nigeria   The team subsequently missed its flight to Lagos, then Tunis and were walked over by the time they got to the stadium.   Captain of the side, Sunday Rotimi has in turn apologised for the role of the players in the saga,   “On behalf of my players, I want to apologise to the club management and also Nigerians concerning the game in Tunis.   “It’s unfortunate that we left Nigeria to Tunis and couldn’t play the game.   “I deeply apologiese to all Nigerians and especially people of Rivers State,” Roti...

Dolphins FC will return to the league on Wednesday to play a rescheduled game against Abia Warriors.   Dolphins had spent 9 days on a journey to Tunisia and back to play a CAF Confederation Cup game and had two league matches against Abia Warriors in Umuahia and Warri Wolves in Port Harcourt rescheduled. The team will now play their rescheduled game against Abia Warriors in Umuahia on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 while a date is yet to be fixed for the game against Warri Wolves.   Dolphins have played against Abia Warriors twice in the top flight. In Port Harcourt last season, Dolphins won 3-0 while in Umuahia, Abia Warriors won 2-1.

  Midfielder, Isiaka Olawale says he looks forward to the club breaking its goal scoring jinx as soon as possible.   Since October 22, 2014 when the club thrashed Ocean Boys 6-0, Dolphins had not scored more than one goal in a game and failed to win a game until March 1, 2015 when the beat Leones Vegetarianos FC 1-0 in Port Harcourt and then 5-3 via penalty shootouts.   Olawale says it bothers the players and they believe winning against the Equato-Guineans two weeks ago is the beginning of their quest to end their goal scoring jinx   “As a player, it bothers me a lot. It surprises me and I don’t really know what is happening. It’s not that we are not creating chances, we create lots of it.   “If you don’t create chances, it’s another matter entirely but for us, the chances come but we can’t score,” Olawale said.   He however sounded his optimism that as soon as the goals come, it will be in big fi...

  Dolphins will play their CAF Confederation Cup 1st round match against Club African in Tunisia on Saturday, March 14, 2015.   The Confederation of African Football, CAF had fixed the weekend of March 13-15 for the game but latest reports reaching Dolphins from the Nigeria Football Federation have confirmed the game will be played on Saturday, March 14,   Kick off time for the game is 3pm local time at the Stade de Olympics in Tunis.   Dolphins have never played against Club Africain or any Tunisia side in any of the CAF Competitions.  

General Manager of Dolphins Football Club, Joe Johnson has called on security forces in the state to provide better service to state run football clubs.   Speaking in view of recent development in the state, Johnson said the football clubs need more concentration and focus and the attacks on them will do more harm than good to the players and state as a whole.   “We remember that just about a week ago the coach of Sharks FC, Gbenga Ogunbote was attacked by unknown gun men, an incident that left him hospitalized for five days. His attackers are yet to be apprehended.   “Just yesterday (Thursday), our own coach, Stanley Eguma escaped from the claws of armed young men at the Port Harcourt Liberation Stadium just as the team was rounding off its training session and this is not cheering news at all,” Johnson said.   “If we are not guaranteed security, our training sessions will definitely be affected and subsequently our CAF Confederation ...

The LMC inspection team led by Barrister Ifeanyi Dike visited the Port Harcourt Liberation Stadium, home ground of Dolphins Football Club yesterday.   After looking at the playing pitch, dressing room, media tribune and other parts of the stadium, Ifeanyi Dike said he felt the stadium was ready to host league matches   “On ground I have seen a stadium capable of hosting league matches even though we have some reservations,” Dike said.   “Certain facilities we expect on ground to host Nigerian league matches are not here but this place has been in use before now and it was used for a continental game on Saturday.   “So I believe before the league kicks off on Saturday, everything we need will be on ground and the place will be convenient for League matches,” Ifeanyi Dike said.   The Port Harcourt Liberation Stadium has been Dolphins FC’s home ground since 1991. The club only changed base between 1998 and 99 to Sharks ...

After a pulsating ninety minutes of football, Dolphins scored one goal, took the game to penalty shoot outs and won 5-3 to edge past Leones Vegetarianos FC in the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round.   Dolphins lost the 1st leg 1-0, and started the return leg the same way they did in Malabo by missing glaring chances.   As early as the 2nd minute Ifeanyi Egwim found space in the Vegetarianos area but his cross went way of mark and an overlapping Ayobami Asekunowo could not connect.   In the 16th minute it was the turn of Victor Alegbe to miss as some good passing moves by Dolphins completely split the Vegetarianos defence open but Alegbe who had just the post in front of him with goalkeeper Yannick out of the way blasted wide.   Fredor for the visitors had his chance to get a crucial away goal for his side in the 27th minute when they had a free kick after Jonathan Zikiye had fouled his man but his free header went wide after Sunday Rotimi had been beaten...

  Dolphins head coach, Stanley Eguma is already prepared for life without Emem Eduok in the coming football season as he tipped Christian Pyagbara to replace his goal machine.   As the club prepares for Saturday’s 2nd leg 1st round CAF Confederation Cup clash against Leones Vegetarianos FC in Port Harcourt, Eguma extols the virtues of Emem saying his departure is a big loss for the club.   “In football, players come and go and clubs eventually replace those who depart,” Eguma said.   “The thing is that Emem does not fall in the category of players that you can easily replace.   “We tried to get Peter Ebimobowei soon after his departure was confirmed but unfortunately for us and fortunately for Peter he secured another deal outside the country which was beneficial to him,” Eguma said.   Dolphins eventually settled for Christian Pyagbara who crossed from city neighbours, Sharks to team up with the duo of Ifeanyi ...

  Dolphins left full back, Jonathan Zikiye has admitted he must share in the blame for the goal in Malabo that cost his side a 1-0 defeat to Leones Vegetarianos in the CAF Confederation Cup.   Dolphins lost through a 57th minute goal conceded when the defence went ball watching and Zikiye says it all started from his position.   “It’s true. That goal was scored after a little slip from our part as defenders and it started from my side,” Zikiye said.   “It was a moment of loss of concentration but in every football match there are bound to be mistakes but the important thing is for us to learn from these mistakes.   “We are working hard for the second leg and we believe we will be able to turn it around,” Zikiye enthused.   It was Jonathan Zikiye’s first ever game on the continent and he spoke on what the experience was like.   “It was a good experience even though we lost the game. We went t...

Nigeria Professional Football League teams on the continent began their 2015 continental quest on a high as three teams out of four representing the country, Kano Pillars,  Enyimba international Footba Club, Warri Wolves won their respective games, while Dolphins Football Club lost narrowly to Equatorial Guinean side Leones Vegetarianos. The weekend continental football for Nigeria clubs saw three teams from the league scoring six goals, three out of which came from away ground in the encounter between Al Malaika FC and NPFL reigning champions, Pillars won 0-2, Warri Wolves also pipped Racing Club Bobo 0-1. The Peoples' Elephant netted thrice as they pummel Buffles Du Borgu of Benin Republic, Dolphins were the only Nigerian club on the continent that failed to record a decent result after loosing 1-0 away from home to Leones Vegetarianos. Gambo Mohammed opened the score sheet four minutes into second half and gave the Sai Masu Gida the long awaited lead before red hot Christian O...

Dolphins Football Club of Port Harcourt left full back Jonathan Zikiye has assured Nigerians that the Pride of Rivers will come back home with a good result as he look forward to making his first continental engagement. The Port Harcourt based team we will be up against Leones Vegetarianos of Equatorial Guinea in their first encounter of the 2015 CAF Confederation Cup this Saturday at the Estadio de Malabo by 4pm Nigerian time. Stanley Eguma's men didn't live up to expectations at the Super 4 invitational tournament held at the Abuja National Stadium but Zikiye who should be featuring for the 2014 Federation Cup finalists for the first time in his football career has boosted that his team will not disappoint Nigerians. The former Nembe City player said" We are positive that something good will come out of our game at the end of the day. "We have put the Super 4 outing behind us and have been working hard towards getting a good result and a better outing from this ...

Goalkeeper, Sunday Rotimi has given reasons why he returned to Dolphins after holding discussions with Sunshine Stars in the off season.   Rotimi said he spoke with officials of the Akure based club and agreed to play for them but changed his mind after speaking with coaches, management members and some fans of Dolphins.   “It is not a rumour. You know a top player when he gets offers at the end of the season and that was the case with me,” Rotimi said.   “I actually went to Sunshine Stars in the off season and agreed terms with them but a lot of things happened and I returned to Dolphins,” Rotimi said.   Rotimi said the offer from Sunshine Stars was a very good one but after dues considerations he returned.    “After speaking with the coaches and a few other people I decided to come back to Port Harcourt. Money, after all is not everything.   “I’ve been here for so long and made lots of friends and...

  Dolphins hard tackling central defender, Festus Austin says he is back training and is ready to get back on the pitch with the club once again.   Austin cracked his shin during a league game against Warri Wolves last year, two games after he returned from a yearlong injury.   He had cracked the same shin two years ago in a league game and was out of action for one year; then he returned for a league game in Enugu against Rangers International before cracking the shin one game later in Warri against Warri Wolves.   “I have started training on my own and I am right now waiting for the team doctor to give me the go ahead to join the players on the pitch.   “I will meet with him soon. I have just started gym work because I need to gain some strength pending when the doctor confirms I can go into full training,” Festus said.   The former Bendel Insurance defender said he first feared for his career when he was being taken off the pitch last year on...

Stanley Eguma says fatigue and late start to the season were responsible for their 2-0 loss to Kano Pillars on Saturday.   Samuel Tswaya scored in the 6th minute and Christian Obiozor in the 9th minute.   “I knew we would not be at our best at this tournament,” Dolphins coach, Eguma said.   “Fatigue from the journey was one factor, since we arrived just last night. We also fought hard but we missed chances.   “We had little preparations because the boys arrived late to camp but we will use the Super 4 to improve on our fitness,” Eguma said.   Okey Emordi, coach of Pillars insists the team still has some more work to do to be fully ready for their Champions League contest in February.   “It’s not because won… thank God for that. I was unimpressed with the positional game of the players and their recovery after losing the ball. I expected more from my players.   “This competition is a p...