What was arguably the most heated clash of the quarter finals ended in a 5-4 shootout score line to MBBS after a 1-all game in regular minutes at the Old Football Stadium, known as SUB pitch.
Monday evening was a familiar one for the Ibadan Medicine boys and Political Sciences, their third clash in SEALS Cup with both sides having something to lose. Kick-off was by 5:20 PM with MBBS getting the first kick and successive passes into their opponents’ final third. In a twinkle, Istanbul had a goal line clearance and tension began brewing on the pitch and by the lines.
Political Sciences had the game on lock, dominating both the midfield and appearing more clinical in the final third. The scoreline was level but the defending champions became a tad bit defensive with their back line working overtime. MBBS’ Habeeb and Dave won a few fouls but the free kicks weren’t dangerous enough to change the scoreline in their favour.
Political Sciences, on the other hand, registered a few underwhelming final third plays from counterattacks. Shortly after one of Habeeb’s routine freekicks that hit the crossbar, Emerald, Gerald, and Abang made three successive clearances. After a few end-to-end play, a Political Sciences forward went down in the 18-yard box and the referee pointed to the spot.
Pogba converted and his side was ahead from there till the half-time clock. The second-half wasn’t any different from the first and the spectators wondered if the half-time talk really did a thing. Political Sciences tried to push for a second to seal the game with multiple volleys and edge-of-the box strikes. Pogba got more defensive when the attacking plays from MBBS began to show prospect. Prestige continued his hold-up play, winning fouls that were, at best, attempts on target.
MBBS won a corner and clearances got chaotic in the 18-yard box. Multiple kicks and clearances parried the ball to Gerald’s feet and he tried a shot from there, scoring a screamer to level the game once again. The atmosphere got very frightening and the end-to-end plays continued, happening very fast. In the dying minutes, Political Sciences had two off-the-woodwork shots and subsequently had a goal-line clearance to keep the game level. The scoreline remained unaltered at the full-time whistle.
The game advanced to a shootout between both sides. Gerald stepped up to take the first, then Dave, Fuhad, Habeeb, and Prestige followed in that order. It ended 5-4 to MBBS and they are through to the semi-finals in SEALS Cup ’26.
