Mass exodus hits Dolphins, Sharks FCs

Players of both Dolphin and Sharks Football Clubs of Port Harcourt are now daggers-drawn with the state Sports Commissioner Hon, Awell Onyenso over the 90 per cent balance of their 2005 Premier League Season Sign-on fees.

over unpaid fees

And the players have refused to commence training - a protest, which has now disrupted the teams' pre-season programme.

Both teams' players, who pleaded for anonymity, told nigeriasports.com in confidence that the Rivers State Sports ministry was yet to settle them their 2005 league season outstanding sign-on fee and bonuses for six matches.

Some of the players expressed sadness over the inability of the clubs' managements to pay them what is due to them; a situation which deprived them of their planned trips home for the Christmas. paying them their due money

Although Dolphin FC has resumed scanty training, nigeriasports.com learnt that some of the player, who have stayed off and are likely to call it quits with the Port Harcourt side, include; Bola Bello, who is eyeing a move to Lobi Stars of Makurdi, Ibrahim Ndala, is planning to go back to his former Wikki Tourists of Bauchi, and keeper Austin Brown, who has started negotiations with neighbouring Nationale FC of Owerri

We gathered that the long list of players who are sick of one of the Garden City's darling team have Jacob Akinyemi, who is Insurance-bound if the premium is mouth-watering enough, Endurance Idahor, who has since departed for Belgium and Chijioke Ejiogu, who could be on his way to neighbouring Aba's Enyimba FC camp.

Others are; Kelechi Osunwa now in Sudan, Efosa Egbuaku has already signed for a Moroccan side, Abubakar ibrahim, has since traced his steps back home to Kano Pillars, Odili Iyasele and Gbenga, have both indicated their desires to sign-up with the Bridge Boys Julius Berger FC of Abeokuta.

Report: Bibian Akubike