MBBS Male Team and ASSE Female Team both clinched gold in the male and female category, respectively, after rounds of shootout at the Old Football Stadium (SUB), on the 24th of August, 2024.
The finals expected to hold on Friday, 23rd of August, was postponed by a day due to the unfavourable weather conditions. The showdown today started with a novelty match between two teams, Team Ayobami and Team Olowu. The former won with 2 goals to 1 and the main pitch was immediately set for the female game.
FEMALE FINAL
The female game started around 4:35pm with an attempt on goal by ASSE which missed the net by some inches. Both sides evenly possessed the ball in the early minutes of the game as they charged for an icebreaker. Chioma, the MBBS female team’s goalie, was tested a few times but comfortably wrapped the ball in her arms. Victoria ‘VK’ also held the backline firmly with top-notch clearances to keep the game even as her forwards fought for a goal. Eseosa, MBBS’ no. 10, had her fair share of chances but none found the back of the net. The end-to-end play went on for the rest of the first half of the game, but deadlock remained.
The second half resumed after some minutes of rest. There was an early near-miss from the ASSE female team which built tension in the atmosphere. Chioma still looked unfazed as she kept all balls out. Just like in the first half, Shola and Unique came on at different times, giving the starters time out to catch their breath as they regained energy. ASSE female team also did a few substitutions to efficiently manage energy. Attempts, clearances, and interceptions went on, until the end of regular minutes and the referee signalled shootout time.
Victoria ‘VK’ went first for the MBBS female team and delivered as usual. ASSE converted their first too. Eseosa walked to the spot and scored hers too. ASSE’s second kick was celebrated as a miss until minutes later when officials from the pitch said otherwise. Video evidences showed that the shot hit the inner bar and came back out, as opposed to former thoughts that it hit the post. With the pressure in the atmosphere, Unique, MBBS’ third taker, shot the ball a little too much to go over the bar and the ASSE girls celebrated their win. In no time, the organizers prepped the pitch for the male game.
MALE FINAL
The male finals started half past 5pm with IPE sending a cross into MBBS’ final third but Emerald was there to neutralise any unexpected threats. Unlike other games, the final started with a tempo off the charts and the crowd at SUB was enough to explain how crucial the game was. For IPE, it was an opportunity to avenge SEALS 2023’s quarter-final loss. For MBBS, they had come that far and only gold medals could leave a smile on their faces while also avenging the female team’s loss. The muddy pitch was quite a pain in the ass but the boys wowed the stands regardless. The play in the middle of the pitch was dictated by the MBBS team, as Teslim, Prestige, and Habeeb traded passes to keep the ball in their possession in search of a goal.
Ola ‘Hollandia’ also had his moments, taking on multiple defenders on the right wing however, the scoreline didn’t flinch. On the other end. Pius and Kenneth also disturbed the MBBS double pivot, feeding Paragon as much as possible to put their side ahead. Prestige also did well, creating chances and winning fouls in game-deciding positions. Both sides’ backlines were very precise with line clearances, Istanbul for the student doctors, Victor ‘VK’ for the engineers. Like the female final, the first-half ended with no side ahead.
At halftime, the fans of both sides could feel their heart beating fast as the game drew nearer to its end with a shootout looking like the obvious. Second half resumed a minute past 6pm and the ‘Ibadan Medicine’ chants continued to dominate the stands. Emotions were heightened as the referee made decisions seemingly controversial. Not long after, Pius received a ball from the back and did a few moves before sending a cross to Abraham on the right wing. Mustapha, the MBBS defender on Abraham, miscalculated an attempt at heading the ball out, Abraham controlled the ball nicely and converted the chance with his left foot.
Trepidations, seemingly shattered hopes at clinching gold. A dejavu of Provost Cup finals found its way into people’s memories. The MBBS players kept the fight on; Jide came on for Ola as a striker. The game became more tense as there was a lot to lose on both sides. As the finalists charged against each other, Fuhad came on for Teslim, bringing his energy to serve the attack. It seemed like instructions changed, with all balls going to find Jide. VK cleared his lines decently, until an opportunity came from a rebound chested by Prestige. It appeared as MBBS had lost the ball until an aerial duel between Habeeb and an IPE player deflected the ball to Fuhad’s leg. The substitute didn’t waste any time before laying a pass to Jide who carefully stopped the ball and latched a shot to the bottom left corner. The fans stormed the pitch as hope was restored.
The game got more interesting as the sides were level, once again. Emerald came clutch multiple times to save the game. Dave came on for Mustapha, adding an extra fresh blood to the midfield. Both sides relentlessly tried to find a winner, but none came before the fulltime whistle. As the day got darker, both sides advanced to penalties. Pius converted the first for IPE and Ramoni, the team’s captain, stepped up to convert his for the student doctors. IPE converted their second and third, Saint Elijah and Karbon also did, to keep it even. IPE scored their fourth and Dave scored the fourth for MBBS. Emerald got the better of IPE’s fifth taker’s kick and it was a miss for them. Fuhad stepped up for the fifth and placed it into the back of the net to hand the gold to Ibadan Medicine.
The fans stormed the pitch, chanting the audible and inaudible to everyone that cared to listen. Mixed feelings camped in some aspects of the pitch but celebrations didn’t cease. It was indeed a good fight from both ends but the gold medals couldn’t be shared. Specific individuals were awarded: Philosophy’s Fisayo as the highest goal scorer and ASSE’s Omolola as the MVP for the female category. In the male category, IPE’s Paragon got his award as the highest goal scorer, and Pius won the MVP award. Political Science’s Olami won the best goalie of the tournament and MBBS’ Prestige won best young player of the tournament. Philosophy won the third place in the female category while Political Science won it, in the male category. Bronze, silver, and gold medals were presented to the both categories as dusk and music from speakers filled the SUB pitch.
Peter Adeyemo.
