Sharks, Dolphins Target Federation Cup Glory

As Rivers State’s clubsides, Sharks and Dolphins FCs take to the pitch today for their respective quarter-finals matches in the 2011 Federation Cup competition in Uyo and Ilorin, expectations are high among football fans in the state, that both teams could end up playing each other in the final match of this years edition of the competition.

Thus, the two clubs which received pep talks from the new commissioner for Sports in the state, Hon Mbombo Igwe are expected to scale the  quarter-finals hurdles against potentially difficult opponents.

Sharks FC will take on Ocean Boys of Bayelsa State at the Uyo Township stadium in Akwa Ibom State , while Dolphins lock horns with Heartland FC in Ilorin.

Dolphins who are currently leading the Nigeria Premier League have vowed to win and secure one of the semi-final tickets available and march on to ultimate glory.

The league leaders reached this stage after beating Akwa United 2-0, drew goalless with Gombe United and played out a 1-1 with Enyimba, while Sharks FC defeated Bayelsa United 1-0, Sunshine FC, 2-0 to qualify after the fourth side, Kaduna United, failed to show up.

Before the two teams left Port Harcourt on Monday, the Commissioner for Sports urged the players and management of both teams to put in their best and ensure they brought home trophies this season.

According to him, the only way to win their matches is to be focused and determined.

Meanwhile, Technical Adviser of Dolphins FC, Stanley Eguma, expressed optimisim over the match saying that they were going to Ilorin to get victory.

“I know that the match against Heartland would not be an easy game. It will be a very crucial one, but I am optimistic that we are going to get victory”, Eguma said.

Eguma stated that his players’  technical ability is sound and that they trained well for the match.

“As am talking to you now, the spirit of my players is very high because they have been assured of payment of their outstanding sign-on fees before the end of the month”, he added.

Tonye Orabere