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Confed Cup: Cautious Optimism As Dolphins Host Vegetarians

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There will be mixed
feelings and fear of the unknown  tomorrow at the Port Harcourt Liberation Stadium, as Dolphins FC will play host to Leones Vegetarians FC of Guinea, in the second leg of CAF Cup.
Anxiety and nervousness have started to grip dolphins players and supporters, following the poor performances of the club in recent outings, especially, the  just concluded Super Four, where  the team played five matches and lost all. Besides, they also lost to their visitors by a lone goal, a forthnight ago.
Dolphins technical adviser, Stanley Eguma, attributed the unimpressive performance to late preparations occasioned by players not reporting  to camp early.
In spite of , all these, Eguma still believes that his team will scale through to  the next stage, as the technical crew has plugged the loopholes noticed in their previous games.
According to him, the team is now fully recovered from  the exit of Emem Eduok team’ s goal machine, saying that in football, players come and go and that  the club has gotten adequate replacement.
“Dolphins settled for Christian Pygbara, he can comfortably fit in the shoes of Emem.
He has a knack for scoring goals and he did so last season, so we  will hope he continues that way this season, especially in the CAF Confederation cup, apart from him also  we have other good strikers like Omo  Johnson and Ifeanyi Egwim. “ Eguma said.
He continued that his players were in high spirit,  Mentally and psychologically balanced to  ensure success in  the encounter.
Eguma noted that his players have demonstrated more commitment and vowed to win the game to make the country proud, especially Rivers State.
Dolphins captain Sunday Rotimi said that  what happened in Malabo has been put behind them.
He said they would have won, but his players lost many scoring chances, saying that if they had converted at least  two goals, his team would have been at an advantage.
However, fillers from the visitors camp who arrived yesterday have revealed that they plan to repeat what they did at home.
According to the source, the Vegetarianos are sound technically and determined to run away with victory.
however, it is expected  that Dolphins players would  not repeat what happened in Malabo, going to the match about an hour to  kickoff time, following non-payment of match bonuses and salaries. They must put on their shooting boots and take their chances as they come.

 

Tonye Orabere

A Dolphins attacker (left) against an Enyimba opponent in a Glo Premier League game, last weekend.

A Dolphins attacker (left) against an Enyimba opponent in a Glo Premier League game, last weekend.

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FRSC Wins  2025 Ardova Handball Premier League 

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The Indoor Sports Hall of the National Institute of Sports, Surulere, Lagos, erupted in celebration on Friday as the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) teams — Safety Shooters and Safety Babes, were crowned champions of the Ardova Handball Premier League 2025, following an elaborate finale graced by members of the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) board and top executives of Ardova PLC.

The Ardova Handball Premier League 2025, which began with the first phase in Benin City months ago, before the second phase in Lagos which ends with a finale that the Executive Chairman of Ardova PLC, Dr. Abdulwasiu Sowami, ably represented by the Deputy Managing Director, Ardova PLC, Mrs Abiola Babatunde-Ojo, described as delightful to watch in her speech.

For Safety Shooters, it was a historic moment as they clinched the men’s title for the first time since 2020, completing a dominant campaign that saw them finish top of the table with 57 points from 20 matches while Safety Babes also etched their name deeper into Nigerian handball history, winning an unprecedented fifth consecutive women’s championship, reaffirming their status as the league’s most dominant team, not just in the women’s category but in the history of handball premier league in Nigeria.

In the Men’s Safety Shooters finished the season in style, beating COAS Shooters 43–32 (20–10) to cap off a dominant outing in Phase 2.

Their final-day victory ensured they remained clear at the summit with an impressive 18 wins, one draw, and one loss, totaling a superb goal difference of +214 after scoring 638 goals and conceding 424.

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Ikoyi Club Tennis Tourney, Winner  Takes N4m 

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The organisers of the Ikoyi Club Tennis Masters Tournament have earmarked N4 million as the prize money for this year’s edition.

?The Chairman of the tennis section of Ikoyi Club, Diran Famakinwa, stated this at a briefing, highlighting the activities for the second edition of the tournament.

?The tournament, which is in collaboration with MegaMound Investment Limited, is endorsed by the Nigerian Tennis Federation.

?According to Famakinwa, the male and female champions will receive N500,000 each, while the runners-up in both categories will go home with the sum of N350,000 each, with the remaining money to be shared among the semi-finalists and other participants.

?Sixteen players, which includes the eight top ?male and eight top female players, will feature in the one-week event, which started on December 5, and run till Saturday, December 13.

?The female final will be held on Friday, December 12, while the male final will take up on Saturday, December 13.

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NSC hails S’Eagles Captain Troost-Ekong

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The National Sports Commission has extended its profound appreciation to former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong following his announcement of retirement from international football.

In a statement released on Saturday, the NSC described the defender as “Captain Fantastic” and praised his decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, highlighting a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty.

“After a decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, Troost-Ekong leaves behind a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty,” the NSC stated.

The commission noted that, as one of the most capped defenders in Super Eagles history with 83 international appearances since his debut in 2015, Troost-Ekong served as a pillar of leadership across multiple tournaments and qualification campaigns.

“His exceptional outing at the last Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored three goals and was named Player of the Tournament, remains one of the most remarkable achievements by a defender in AFCON history,” the NSC added.

The statement further emphasised that Troost-Ekong’s “Nigeria first” mindset, discipline and exemplary conduct set a standard for the next generation of athletes, with his influence within the national team extending beyond the pitch to inspire unity, resilience and professionalism among his teammates.

Meanwhile, Troost-Ekong has dismissed rumours that he was forced to retire by the country’s football administrators as punishment for leading a revolt against the NFF.

The 32-year-old’s announcement came less than a month before the AFCON, and he was named in the 54-man preliminary list. His decision sparked speculation, particularly as he had led a strike in protest against unpaid bonuses during the World Cup qualifying play-offs.

One fan speculated on social media, suggesting that Troost-Ekong was pressured to quit after exposing the NFF. The Al Khoolood defender offered a sharp retort, establishing that he unilaterally made the decision to retire.

“Not true! My own choice/decision and on my own terms. No one ever asked/tried to force me out. If anything, the opposite when I shared my decision. I wish the team all the best and support them together with all Nigerians for the upcoming AFCON to go all the way,” he wrote on X.

The NSC concluded by wishing Troost-Ekong the very best in the next chapter of his career and commending him for representing Nigeria with honour.

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