Dolphins continue miserable run in Abeokuta

Berger Coach Fatai Amao
With the champions lacking five regulars, Emma Godwin (groin), Kingsley Williams(suspension), Joe Eyimofe(groin), Victor Ezeji(suspension), Kelechi Osunwa(absconded to Russia), there was a rare start for Albert Chinwo in defensive midfield and Gordian Ekechukwu in attack.

But it was Dolphins that got the early minute chance on goal when defender, Jide Micheal’s free kicks rattled Afeso Attah in goal for Berger.

Attempts on goal in the first half were few and far between as both sides resorted to just knocking the balls in the midfield.

But on nineteen minutes, Victor Babayaro freed Jacob Aikhionbare but his pull out was deflected for a corner kick which was wasted anyway.

A minute later, Berger took the game to Dolphins but Obinna Nnodim recovered on time to nod out from his goal line a header from Akeem Ojo who capitalized on a mix up in the Dolphins defence to head over onrushing keeper Austin Brown.

The bridge boys continued to attack and this time it was Oseni Jimoh who shot wide in the box after latching on a loose ball and running at least ten yards into the Dolphins area.

Dolphins woke up from their momentary slumber and tormentor in chief, Efosa Eguakun freed Jacob Aikhionbare with one of his trade mark passes, but Jacob’s pull out was deflected for a corner which was wasted.

At the start of the second half, Yusuf Babatunde who could not contain the rampaging Efosa Eguakun was taken off for Sadiq Dabiri, but the first chance of the half came through Endurance Idahor who’s shot in the box in the 57th minute went wide.

Jacob Aikhionbare had fumbled his way through the Berger defence before losing the ball but it bounced at the feet of Idahor who let one go.

With the game seeming like headed for a draw, stylish Akeem Ojo grabbed the ball at the edge of the Dolphins box and with ease he turned around, shaking off his marker before bending the ball around Keeper Austin Brown for the curtain raiser.

Before that goal, Brown heroics had come into play as he changed course in the air to parry to a corner a shot that was deflected by one of his defenders and was heading for goal.

“Dolphins have always been my bogey team and it has not been easy beating them in the last four years so even though we know we cannot win the league, we are going to celebrate this victory like we have won the title,” Coach of Julius Berger Fatai Amao told nigeriasports.com shortly after the game.

“We deserve our victory. We played against the Champions and were able to hold them even scoring a classical goal so I think my boys are coming up and they can continue with this form and finish in a comfortable position.”
This loss takes dolphins to their worst run in three seasons, having lost three consecutive matches.