Dolphin overcome stubborn Berger

Berger, coming on the heels of a 3-0 spanking in the hands of Lobi Stars last Wednesday, drew first blood just before half time to end a miserable first half for the league leaders who had all the play and all the hard luck.

The first clear cut chance for the homers came in the 17th minute when Victor Ezeji was freed by an Emmanuel Ebiede pass but his spirited effort hit the side netting. 

In the 25th minute it was Ezeji again who last touch was scrambled out by keeper Makama of Berger.

The bridge boys did not leave things lying low as they also had their fair share of attacking forays with Odili Iyasere as tormentor in chief, but the Dolphin defensive quartet of Chinwo, Eyimofe, Ahmed and Emma always had things under control.

The closest chance the bridge boys had was in the 30th minute when Alausa picked up a loose ball in the box, but Keeper Ejiogu saved his effort.

Still in the first half that was packed with drama, Ezeji hit the cross bar with the keeper beaten and Haruna Musa’s rebound went wide off the mark.

When the curtain raiser finally came, it was a four man combination that found Odili free at the edge of the box.

He took his time, picked his spot and blasted beyond the reach of Ejiogu.

The Dolphin bench made two substitutions during the break.

Ochuko Ojobo came in for Efosa Eguakun and Kelechi Osunwa was in for Haruna Musa.

Later in the game, Kennedy Boboye replaced Emmanuel Ebiede who was not doing enough marking in the midfield thereby giving Kingsley Williams too much work to do.

Berger also brought in Pius Amokachi for Alausa and Peter Ogbuje for Yusuf Babalade.

With the highly partisan Kaduna crowd cheering their new home side on, Dolphin continued to mount the pressure yet the goals refused to come.

In fits and spurts, the trio of Iyasere Odili, Peter Ogbuje and Abdulazeex Faruk made dangerous incursions into the Dolphin area that could have led an increase in the tally but scores remained 1-0 to the away team until the 74th minute when substitute Kelechi Osunwa dribbled his way into the Berger box from the left and curled the ball beyond the reach of Sunday Makama for the long over due equaliser.

With this goal as tonic, the Port Harcourt side, did not relent in their forays and less than ten minutes later there was some confusion in the Berger box following a free kick taken by at the edge of the box and Victor Ezeji put his foot on the ball to send the fans in ecstatic jubilation.

My boys get the glory for this victory-Musa Abdulahi

“It was a hard won victory,” Dolphin Technical Adviser, Musa Abdulahi told nigeriasports.com shortly after the game.

“I give this one to my boys. They did well, worked so hard to ensure this victory did not elude us. The fans were wonderful, my coaches were excellent and the players too were just at their very best.”

His opposite number Fatai Amoo blamed his boys for losing concentration when it mattered most but insisted that the league is still open and any team can still win it.

“We should have won this game but its too bad we did not. We will always have other games to play and make up for this loss.”