Both clubs are owned by the Rivers State government, but the animosity between Sharks and Dolphins runs deep. And this latest chapter in their rivalry was set up to be even feistier than usual.

Sharks are at the wrong end of the log, mired deeply in relegation trouble while Dolphins are safe in mid-table. Both sides drew 1-1 earlier in the season with a contentious late penalty to Sharks and the build-up to the game was dominated by ill-tempered tough talk from both sides.

It was no surprise then that over five thousand fans turned up to watch; the biggest turnout Port Harcourt has witnessed all season.

Dolphins were first to threaten.

Captain Ejindu had a chance when Jeleel Ajagun floated a long ball in that Sharks keeper, Okiemute Odah completely missed.

Ejindu appeared to have been hacked down just on the edge of the box but referee M.A. Mohammed completely ignored calls for a free kick.

A few minutes later, Odah raced out of his box but failed to get to the ball allowing Ejindu to squeeze a pass to Owusu Addaiyi. The Ghanaian rounded the stranded goalkeeper, who hacked him down. No red card, no penalty kick.

At the other end, Sharks had a chance to open scores when they completely carved the Dolphins defence open.

But the quartet of Bright Ejike, Terry Envoh, Victor Ezeji and Kola Anubi dwelled on the ball, allowing the defence to recover and make the clearance.

Victor Ezeji, who was completely shadowed by Emma Godwin all through the game waited patiently for his chance and it came just before half-time.

Kola Anubi got a pass to his feet; with ease he sidestepped his marker and from out of the box tried to spin the ball in.

It took Sunday Rotimi’s outstretched hands to parry the ball to the upright and it ricocheted back into the pitch even though half the ground thought it had gone in.

If the missed chances provided drama, it was nothing compared to what was to come at half time and in the second period.

Dolphins manager, Stanley Eguma refused to go inside the dressing room, choosing to address his players on the pitch.

The three referees followed suit and stayed on the pitch for about three minutes before Sharks assistant coach, Kennedy Boboye pleaded with them and persuaded them to go into the dressing room.

Dolphins were the side on top in the second half, but they finishing failed to match their smooth passing build-up.

They had another shout for a penalty when Ajagun was tugged by the last defender on his way to goal. Again, no penalty, no red card.

What Dolphins could not get, Sharks got on 66 minutes a Sharks player was adjudged by the referee to have been brought down in the box and he quickly gave the penalty.

Sharks goalkeeper, Okiemute Odah rushed out to take it only to see his effort cuddled by Sunday Rotimi.

The game dragged on till the 96th minute yet there was no board up by the fourth official to show how much time had been added on.

With desperation setting in, fans of Sharks scaled the barricade to line the touch line, some shouting at the referees to award another penalty while others besieged the Dolphins bench begging Dolphins manager, Stanley Eguma to allow Sharks score.

Referee Mohammed buckled under the weight and awarded another penalty after a Sharks player went down in the aftermath of an innocuous tackle.

As the stadium erupted in celebration, some of the Sharks fans ran to Sunday Rotimi telling him to make sure the kick goes in.

Another group invaded the media tribune to confiscate all video recordings of the match; two from Dolphins, one from the state television RSTV, one from an independent sports producer and three from an AIT crew.

Gomo Onduku stepped up to take the kick but once again Sunday Rotimi was in uncompromising mood and punched the ball, albeit, only as far as Onduku's path.

Onduku took the rebound well but it hit the cross bar and was cleared out of danger before the referee called off the match.

At the final whistle, the few Dolphins fans at the stadium pelted the referees with sachets and plastic bottles water.

The result keeps Sharks deep in danger.

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Embele:2010-03-21 22:37

good report, wish there were some pictures of the match. Sounds like this made Everton-Liverpool look tame.
Doesnt the Rivers government have better things to do then run two teams? They should sell one of them.

Polly:2010-03-22 03:42

Very good report from Colin but no after-match interview with the two coaches as it is the norm internationally. But I guess the hostile environment would have made that difficult and in other climes, the coaches attend a mandatory after-match press conference so you don't need to chase them about. maybe in the future when we have competent hands to run the league, we will be seeing such.

@Embele, you raised a very crucial point. The fact that the two teams are owned by the same person should not have been allowed to guard against foul play. Imagine Abramovich owning another team in the premiership aside from Chelsea. How can fairplay be guaranteed in such situation? I did not even bother to watch the match because I believed it will be arranged for Sharks to win as they needed the points badly. But it turned out that Dolphins refused to play ball.

The original state team of the Rivers people is Sharks even though Dolphins have become more succesful. Naturally, Sharks attract more supportership in the garden city, especially in the old township area, as it is more identifiable with the history of the state. Dolphins were formerly called and owned by Eagle Cement which could not sustain the club for long. When they signified their intention to pull out, Rivers State govt decided to sponsor the team (despite the presence of several multi-national companies there) to prevent its extinction and that is how they were allowed by the NFA to own two teams in the same competition against the spirit of fairplay.

Flex:2010-03-23 13:13

Rest In Peace Nigeria Globercom League.