Shirt deals for Enyimba, 3SC

3SC new kit © DStv

Shirt sponsorship deals for two Nigeria Premier League (NPL) clubs, 3SC and Enyimba will officially be announced later on Wednesday, SuperSport.com has exclusively gathered.

3SC and Enyimba agreed to enter into shirts sponsorship agreement with one of the leading brewing brands, Guinness Nigeria Plc, in March.

SuperSport.com was further informed that Guinness’ partnership with the two football clubs will witness the teams wearing the newest brand, Dubic Extra Lager, on the stable of the beer brewing company on their jerseys.

An official launch of the partnership will take place in Aba and Ibadan on Wednesday and will be followed by announcements of the shirt sponsorship deals.

Sunshine Stars, Wikki in mid-week battle

Sunshine Stars and Wikki Tourists will come head-to-head in a rescheduled Nigeria Premier League (NPL) game at the Dipo Dina Stadium on Wednesday.

The match was earlier billed to hold on Matchday 16 in the NPL calendar on March 25.

Coach Gbenga Ogunbote and his team are under pressure to get back to winning ways after four games on the bounce without a win in all competitions.

Ogunbote is confident that his team will get into the winning groove against the Tourists ahead of their second leg tie against Angola's Recreativo de Libolo in the Caf Confederation Cup this weekend.

"The game against Wikki is a good dress rehearsal for the clash against Recreativo. But we know that we need to win to stay among the top teams in the league table," said the former Gateway FC coach.

Sunshine Stars last won a competitive game on March 18 in Ijebu-Ode when they defeated table-toppers, Enugu Rangers 2-0.

And Ogunbote believes his men can hit same stride on Wednesday against Wikki.

"Of course this team have got quality and we will win against Wikki," he told SuperSport.com.

Wikki have lost just once in last five games and centre-back, Nehemiah Ekong has told SuperSport.com that he and his colleagues are not in Ijebu-Ode to lay back and get slaughtered.

"They shouldn't write us off because we are in Ijebu-Ode to win something for ourselves," the former Crown FC man said.

Wikki have won at Sunshine Stars just once in nine years and that was in May 2003, and Ekong is hoping they can capitalise on the poor run of Sunshine Stars by avoiding defeat.

Dolphins, Pillars at crossroads

Nigeria Premier League (NPL) champions, Dolphins and Kano Pillars are locked in a off-the-field tussle over alleged threat from an official of the latter.

Kano Pillars lost 0-1 at Dolphins in a Week 18 game on Sunday leaving the away team livid over the eight minutes of added time from centre referee, Henry Ogunyamodi.

The game between Dolphins and Kano Pillars was goalless until the 98th minute when Emem Eduok scored the winner for the hosts.

Kano Pillars protested the eight minutes of added time but officials of Dolphins believe the referees were spot on as there were two major injuries in the second half and added time.

Dolphins’ goalkeeper, Austin Brown was down for about five minutes while in added time, Kano Pillars' goalkeeper, Theophilus Afelokhai stayed down for three minutes.

But Dolphins have now raised concerns over an alleged statement credited to an official of Kano Pillars, Kabiru Baleria after the game that the champions should stay away from Kano or come under the attack of the deadly sect, Boko Haram.

“It was an irresponsible statement to make but we are not taking it lightly. I agree it was said in the heat of the moment and they felt aggrieved conceding a goal at the death but people should watch what they say.

“In the last two years we have had people killed, churches blown up and more threats made by the terrorist group, Boko Haram and if a person like Kabiru Baleria who played football to the top level in his days can make a statement like that he must be called in by the security agencies for questioning because he must have a link with them,” spokesman of Dolphins, China Acheru said.

Acheru named three Port Harcourt-based journalists, Florence Israel of Sporting Life, Carl Orakwue of Cool/ Wazobia FM and Nduka Orjinmo as direct witnesses who heard Baleria say: “Walahi if you people come to Kano we will use Boko Haram to blow you up. Don’t even bother coming. We will use them to kill you.”

Dolphins now want the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) and the nation's security agencies to look into the alleged threats made by Baleria in Port Harcourt on Sunday.

Secretary of Dolphins, Ahmed Abdulrahman told SuperSport.com that they will make an official complaint to the NPL about alleged threat from Baleria.

"We will make our complaint to the NPL about this matter," Abdulrahman said.

Kano Pillars' spokesman, Idris Malikawa has defended that the club have never indulged in threatening their opponents.

He added that Dolphins should consult with their sister club, Sharks to ascertain "the kind of treatment they got in Kano" earlier this season.

"Kano Pillars is not a club associated with violence. As a club we will not go to that length to make threatening remarks or carry out attacks on our opponents. Sharks, another Port Harcourt club came to Kano earlier this season and nobody attacked or did anything untoward to them. Dolphins need to talk to the Sharks people on the kind of treatment they got in Kano.

"So why would we want to use dangerous means to undo Dolphins? We at Kano Pillars do not regard football as a do-or-die affair all in the name of winning three points. Instead football is a tool that unifies the nation and I don't think Dolphins' allegation is good for the game," Malikawa told SuperSport.com.

NPL Acting Secretary, Tunji Babalola is unhappy that the issue has taken front burner in the media. He said the Premier League is yet to get an official complaint from the champions.

"Dolphins should have written officially (to the NPL) and if they say they have done so I'm yet to see it. The truth is this matter will be best resolved without making so much noise about it in the media because it is still an allegation," Babalola remarked.

Sharks will end trophy hoodoo – Onduku

He is one of the underrated wingers in the Nigeria Premier League (NPL). Gomo Onduku (standing 1st from right) talks to SuperSport.com following his goal-winning performance for Sharks at Heartland in Week 18.

The former Bayelsa United man speaks on Sharks, their trophy hoodoo on the domestic front, Victor Ezeji and the likely winners of this season's Premier League.

SuperSport.com: What's the feeling like being among the goals lately for Sharks?

Onduku: I'm very, very happy with my progress this season and I believe it can only get better as the season continues.

SuperSport.com: So is it safe to say we will see more goals from you as the season progresses?

Onduku: Of course. It's just unfortunate that we did not start the league well this season. We had some ups and downs but we are trying to put our acts together now.

SuperSport.com: And what do you make of your winning goal against Heartland on Sunday? Were you confident of beating Heartland in that game?

Onduku: I was very sure because in the past two seasons we have not lost to them in their home. So when we arrived (in Calabar for the game) that was the first thing that came to our minds. We were determined to go all out to win.

SuperSport.com: At some point in the season, Bright Ejike seemed to be the only player scoring the goals for Sharks, were you worried at that point that you couldn't share in that responsibility?

Onduku: I was not because I've provided assists for three of his goals. He's a great striker no doubt but I always tell him to compose himself because I believe that he will be among the highest goalscorers this season.

SuperSport.com: People have said the absence of Victor Ezeji might affect Sharks up front this season. Do you agree with that school of thought?

Onduku: I don't really agree with that. He is the most brilliant striker I've seen in the NPL, and I must admit that we are missing him now but we still have players who are capable of filling the big space he has left. I know when he comes back he will join us again.

SuperSport.com: Sharks have never won any major trophy in Nigeria that is talking about the league and the FA Cup. Do you often think about this or does it give you concern?

Onduku: Of course I am really worried about that though as a player I have won the league with my former team, Bayelsa United. Personally my aim is to win the FA Cup (now known as the Federation Cup).

SuperSport.com: In essence are you saying Sharks' most realistic chance of winning a trophy this season is in the FA Cup?

Onduku: Not actually but personally that's my aim. Last season in the FA Cup I wanted to win it. At that time I just returned from trials in South Africa and I played in the FA Cup and we did well. I scored three goals in the group stage - two against Sunshine Stars and one against Bayelsa United. But unfortunately we lost to Ocean Boys in the quarterfinals.

SuperSport.com: Which opponent has been your toughest this season? And why?

Onduku: Kwara United have been the toughest for me. They played us well with a good strategy coupled with a strong midfield and defence.

SuperSport.com: And which team is your easiest opponent?

Onduku: (laughs) Heartland.

SuperSport.com: Why do you consider Heartland the easiest you've played so far?

Onduku: They are the easiest because we outplayed them apart from our team winning the game.

SuperSport.com: This season so far we have seen Rangers, Enyimba, Kano Pillars, Gombe United and even Dolphins lead the table. In your own view which team or teams would you tip to win the league?

Onduku: I will give it to Rangers or Enyimba but we are coming up too ahead of the second round. The league is still open so I will include Sharks.

PROFILE

Date of birth: November 17, 1993

Place of birth: Ekeremor, Bayelsa State

Position: Left wing

Present club: Sharks (from 2009 till date)

Previous club(s): Bayelsa United (from 2007 - 2009)

Honour(s): NPL winner with Bayelsa United (2008/2009 season)