Dolphins, Sharks set Port Harcourt on fire

The first leg of the round of 8 game which comes up at the Liberation Stadium, the home ground of Double Champs, Dolphins F.C., has already been tagged the battle of the fishes by football faithful in and around the city.
Sharks Defender, Odinga Odinga (left)

The game which was originally billed to take place on Wednesday last week was postponed because of Dolphins' continental engagement with Gabonese side F.C. 105 in the CAF Confederation Cup.

With that match now behind them, Dolphin are now firmly focussed on successfully defending their F.A.Cup title.

They will however have to contend with a disciplined Sharks side who are currently enjoying an awesome 9-match unbeaten run in the Globacom Premier League.

Perhaps, the biggest boost to be enjoyed by Sharks is the return of top marksman, Charles Omokaro, who was forced to miss last week's cracker with Kano Pillars due to an injury.

The game eventually finished 2-2.

''I won't say my absence from the Pillars game actually affected the outcome of the game''  Omokaro told nigeriasports.com.

Omokaro, who has scored nine goals in the league this season says he feels sorry for Dolphins because he will not end Wednesday’s match without scoring.

Dolphin F.C.'s version of Omokaro, Victor Ezeji however told nigeriasports.com that Dolphin would scale the Sharks hurdle ''even though it will be tough''.


Dolphins Victor Ezeji

''I always give my best in crucial matches'' the big striker said.

''I just want to urge the fans to come out in their numbers on the match day as good football is assured”

The two sides have both had contrasting fortunes in the Country's oldest football competition with Sharks having never tasted F.A. Cup success while the Musa Abdullahi-led Dolphin won the trophy in 2001 before capturing a truly memorable double last year.

From Sammy Wejina