Why We Lost FA Cup Title – Dolphins FC

Barely five days after Dolphins Football Club of Port Harcourt failed to lift its comprehensive fifth Federation Cup (FA) trophy at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, the reasons for the defeat have at last been revealed.
The home team which left Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital physically and mentally fit, for the game lost 2-1 to the defending champions, Enyimba FC of Aba at the finals of 2014 edition of the competition.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Tidesports yesterday, Captain of Dolphins FC, Sunday Rotimi said that the team’s defeat was traceable to lack of concentration in the defence of the team.
Rotimi who is also the goalkeeper of the Club told Tidesports that the players played quality game, pointing out that Dolphins players were over confident of the match.
“I think we lost because our players were over confident, due to the team’s current impressive form, adding “my defenders lost concentration” Rotimi said.
Also speaking, the Media Officer of the Club, China Acheru, told Tidesports that the players were at their best during the match adding that the mistake made by the defenders caused the defeat.
“I must say that Dolphins played the best football in their history, but the mistake was responsible of the loss,” Acheru said.
In his own view Dolphins defender, Victor Ezuruike, described the loss as shocking to the players, because they vowed to win the match.
According to him, the goals scored by Enyimba FC were cheap due to little mistakes committed by defenders.
“I am telling you that none of our players are happy about the loss, because we had the confidence that we will win the game,” Ezuruike said.
Franklin Owhor, Chairman Dolphins Supporters Club told the Tidesports that the team’s defeat was caused by defensive blunder, saying that the team should accept the defeat in a good fate and exhibit the spirit of sportsmanship.

Tonye Orabere

Dolphins FC of Port Harcourt in an action during a league match with Sharks of Port Harcourt.