By KATE OBODO
Chief Coach of Dolphins FC of Port Harcourt, Zachary Baraje has expressed confidence that his team will defend the Premier League title they won last year after his wards beat rivals, Sunshine Stars of Akure in the league opener last weekend.

He said the victory over the Akure side who gave them a hot chase for the 2011 title did not come easy as the lone goal came barely seven minutes to the end of the game, stressing “It (victory) was quiet fantastic and which amazed our opponents (Sunshine). But then, we were able to prove our worth by winning our first match and we give God the glory.”

“In our next match against Kaduna United at home, we will be very focused and tactical about it. For us, this season will be very tough because every team will be well prepared when battling us especially as they know that we are the champions. We will make extra preparation for every match. Though it is not going to be easy, we will do everything possible to defend our title,” Baraje said .

On how he feels about the opening game of the Nigerian Premier League last Saturday, Baraje said: “For me, the date was okay especially as we were billed to play on that same day. The teams that had problems were those who were supposed to play on Sunday but were later asked to play on Saturday due to the nationwide strike,” he added.

We are not yet there – Allen

Having defeated Sharks Football Club of Port Harcourt in the opening game of the Nigeria Premier League last Saturday, newly appointed coach of the Shooting Stars Sports Club, Festus Allen said the team is yet to get to its peak even as he assures of victory against Gombe at the Liberty Stadium in Ibadan.

“It is too early to start showering praises on the team, but it is also good that we started on a good note. I have been encouraged by my senior colleague, John Obuh, to keep up the good work , following our performance in the opening game. But that is not to say that we are there already. It is a gradual process and we will strive hard to build a formidable team that will be able to confront any team,” Allen said, as he commended the officiating of the NPL.

“The standard of the Nigeria Premier League is coming up gradually. What the league needs now is sponsorship, good security at match venues and good officiating. These will attract fans to come to watch matches. If they embark on these things, our league can be like other leagues in the world,” he said.

On their next game against Gombe United, he said: “Victory is what I want, nothing short of that,” stressing that his target for the team this season is to end up credibly.

Obuh dreams to win NPL title

Former Under-20 coach John Obuh has said that his aspiration for Sharks Football Club of Port Harcourt this season is to win the Nigeria Premier League.

Speaking to Inside Out Premier League, Obuh, whose team lost to 3SC 2-1 in the opening game of the league last Saturday at the Liberty Stadium in Ibadan, assured that his team will post better results this season.

“I will say the opening game of the NPL was pretty okay, especially the officiating aspect. Every coach expects his team to do well in every game, more especially, as the league just started and that was what I expected from my players irrespective of the little hindrances we had. But then as it is, I am impressive about their performance and I am very sure by the time we correct one or two things, we should be able to say we are on course. Against our next game, we will surely correct our mistakes.

“The worst thing that can happen to me is to play a league without any trophy. For me, I’m looking forward to wining the Premier League title and picking the CAF ticket ,” he said.

On how competitive he thinks this season is going to be, Obuh said, “Definitely it is going to be competitive, because if you watch the officiating in the opening game of the league, I think it was fair and if it has to continue like this, clubs should be able to know that they have to work hard to win their games and not relying on anybody or any means.”