Sports

Dolphins Fail To Record Victory, Point

Published

9 years ago

February 2, 2015

Nigeria Federation Cup
finalists, Dolphins FC of Port Harcourt has recorded a disappointing outing at the just concluded pre-season invitational tournament in Abuja, the Super 4 after losing all five matches played and scoring only once.
The Port Harcourt based club and one of Nigeria’s representatives in the 2015 CAF Confederation Cup apparently suffered from poor preparation, lack of focus and match fitness following their late return to camp before the tournament. It is now left for the coach and management to turn around the fortunes of the team before their first continental engagement this month.
Reacting to the poor outing of the club, the supporters club Chairman of the club, Comrade Franklin Owhor, said that the exit of some of the key players in the team last season, especially, Emem Eduok, who has joined Esperance of Tunisia contributed to the unimpressive performance.
He also said that the non-payment of salaries and allowances of players should not be an excuse for the team’s poor outing, adding that they should blame themselves for not showing enough commitment. He advised the players to get down to work, prepare themselves and raise their game in order to make good impact this season.
“In spite the fact that the club was not adequately prepared for the tournament, as most players reported to camp late, the players should demonstrate more commitment and focus.
We do not want to hear that non-payment of salaries as an excuse, because, most of the clubs are also owing salaries”, Owhor said.
In the same vein, the Secretary of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Rivers State Branch, Olalekan Ige said that the team should not be judged with the outcome of the Super 4, saying that it was just to test-run the players they have and identify the grey areas in the teams.
“Fans and supporters of Dolphins should not use the Super 4 tournament as a yardstick to judge the team, because it was an opportunity for the Coach to know the areas they need players and correct mistakes.
‘I do know that CAF champions League and Premier League competitions are different ball game from the Super 4 tournament”, Ige said. The SWAN scriber, expressed confidence that Dolphins would perform better when they get to the continental games proper.
Meanwhile, Dolphins FC lost all her five matches at the Super 4 tournament, they are expected to return to base today.

Tonye Orabere

Sports

Ghana Legend Names Okocha Africa’s Best

Published

2 days ago

April 15, 2024

The Tide

Ghana star, Mohammed Kudus has named Nigerian legend Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha as his greatest African footballer of all time, drawing parallels between Okocha’s style of play and his own.
Kudus, currently plying his trade with West Ham United, praised Okocha for his exceptional skills and entertainment value on the pitch.
Okocha’s illustrious career includes numerous achievements such as winning the Goal of the Year award in Germany in 1993, multiple Nigerian Footballer of the Year titles, and being named the BBC African Footballer of the Year twice.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Kudus expressed his admiration for Okocha, emphasising the lasting impact of his creative flair and ability to entertain fans. He highlighted Okocha’s unique style of play as a source of inspiration for him as a young footballer.
”I will say Jay Jay Okocha. I will say explaining from my lens how I see creative players and entertain. That can never be washed away and the fans can never forget that,” Kudus told our source.
Despite joining West Ham United last summer, Kudus has quickly established himself as a crucial player for David Moyes’ side.
With stellar performances throughout the season, Kudus has garnered attention for his impressive contributions on the pitch. In his debut season, the midfielder has netted an impressive 13 goals in 38 appearances, solidifying his role as a key player for the club.

Sports

HFN Sets Deadline For League Registration

Published

2 days ago

April 15, 2024

The Tide

The Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) have called on teams that will participate in the Ardova Handball Premier League 2024 to complete all documentary registration on or before May 4, 2024.
The Ardova Handball Premier League 2024 kick off with phase 1 to hold in Benin City, Edo State from May 12th to the 25th , 2024 and the HFN said all teams must document all their registration regarding player registrations, loans and transfers as soon as the 4th of May 2024 according to a statement addressed the officials of the twenty two participating teams by the Secretary General of the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) Mr. Almu Umar Lambu.
“A total of 25 players and 4 officials shall be registered for the Season as there shall be no more registration in the Second Phase and all participating clubs should note that documentary registration of players, transfers and loans shall be completed on or before 4th May, 2024.” Mr. Lambu said.
Mr. Lambu also revealed that the HFN will hold an anti-doping seminar for players and officials during the course of the first phase of the Ardova Handball Premier League 2024 in Benin City, Edo State.
“Also Clubs should note that there will be Anti-Doping Seminar during the league to be organised by the HFN Medical and Anti-Doping Commission” Mr. Lambu concludes.
The top tier Handball league which is the biggest handball event in Nigeria, was to begin on April 28 through to May 11, 2024 but has now being shifted by two weeks by the Handball Federation of Nigeria for effective preparation in tandem with the sponsor Ardova PLC and will now hold from May 12 to 25, 2024.
Teams are expected to arrive Benin City on May 12, 2024 while hostilities will then begin the next day, May 13 through to May 24, 2024. Departure is May 25, 2024.

Sports

Athletics: Ofili, Nathaniel Qualify For Paris Olympics

Published

2 days ago

April 15, 2024

The Tide

Favour Ofili and Ezekiel Nathaniel have booked their places to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Ofili won the women’s 200-meter event in day one of the Tom Jones Invitational on Friday, hosted by Florida at James G. Pressly Stadium in Gainesville.
The Port Harcourt, Nigeria, native blazed out of the blocks and clocked an event-winning time and No. 4 time in the world of 22.33 seconds (+1.4 m/s).
She defeated Anavia Battle who came through in 22.56s and Ida Karstoft in a new National Record of 22.60s
Her time dips under the Paris 2024 Olympics’ standard of 22.57 seconds, punching her ticket to the Olympics in her first season after turning pro.
It is her fastest time outdoors since 2022 where she set the Nigerian National Record of 21.96s the same year.
Nathaniel on his part shattered the Nigerian 400m Record at the Tom Jones Invitational, running a brilliant 48.29s.
The feat has seen Nathaniel automatically qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics, surpassing the Olympic standard by almost half a second.
Chris Robinson of the United States won in a time of 47.95s ahead of Clement Ducos, who ran 48.26s.
Meanwhile, in the Men’s High Jump event, Nigeria’s Erhire Best won clearing a Season’s Best (SB) of 2.21m.
He defeated Riyon Rankin on countback, having needed just one attempt to clear the winning mark while Rankin took three tries. BJ Jennings was 3rd with 2.13m.