Five first team players are on various national team duties while two are out with injuries forcing the head coach, Stanley Eguma to look into the reserves for players to fill up spaces on the bus to Ilorin.

Chizoba Amaefule, Jeleel Ajagun, Chidi Osuchukwu and Emem Eduok are with the Nigerian U20 side in Germany preparing for the World Youth Championship while Isiaka Olawale has joined the camp of the Beach football national team.

On the injury list are Chimaobi Chukwu who has been out for a month and Emeka Atuloma who was taken out injured in Wednesday's 2-0 victory, while Ifeanyi Egwim who made the trip to Ilorin is just recovering from a bout of Typhoid fever.

A player like Buduka Egwurugwu who is with the reserves (feeder team) was quickly thrown into the squad for the Ilorin game. Buduka has never before been in a Dolphins match day squad.

On Wednesday against Kaduna United at home, debuts were handed to Ebiamowei Baker and Temitope Jaiyeola due the thin nature of the first team.