For its maiden edition, the group stages of the female category of this year’s Seals Cup have been nothing short of unpredictable and glorious. With its fair share of insane crowd pull and enthusiasm over the past few weeks, we’ve witnessed a thrilling mix of football that has been spectacular, showcasing the beautiful game in all its high-stakes encounters, unexpected upsets, and moments of sheer brilliance. It has been a stage where rising stars shone; established players reaffirmed their greatness, and teams either cemented their reputations or left with lessons to ponder on.
Because of the peculiarity of the female category (just ten departments registered), the top two departments from the two groups of five departments each progress directly into the semifinals. The competition has already gifted us unforgettable goals, dramatic comebacks, moments of individual brilliance, and stories of redemption and heartbreak that will go down in history. Yet, beyond the headlines, the group stages have also set the scene for the semifinals that promises even greater drama as the stakes rise and the margins for error narrow. But before we mount the ride, let us look at how we got here.
MATCHDAY 1
Group A
The opening game of the first round of the inaugural SEALS Cup female tournament on the Wednesday, 7th of August, got off to an exciting start, with Fisayo of Philosophy quickly establishing herself as a rising star by singlehandedly putting three goals past the LARIS defence in the match between LARIS and Philosophy. LARIS left all Philosophy’s questions unanswered, ending the game with a 3-nil loss.
The second tie of the day, History vs Nursing, proved more competitive. The two goals provided by Temiloluwa and Stephanie were enough for the Nursing girls to edge past The Historians. Temiloluwa from History did, however, leave with something, as she pulled one back for her side. Though not enough, it puts them in a “not-so-bad” position for the mini-marathon ahead.
Group B
The ‘group of death’ opened with Linguistics going against Statistics. The former played very well but couldn’t find the back of the net; they were subsequently punished by Suliyat. A beautiful right-footed strike from the diminutive Statistics midfielder left the Linguistics goalkeeper helpless. The game ended 0-1.
The game of the round between MBBS and ASSE attracted the most crowd and lived up to its billing. After a goalless first half that saw a lot of chances, the Invincibles, through Omolola and Lolade, scored two goals in quick succession in the second half to remind onlookers why they are the best department in female football in the University. Faith from MBBS pulled one back for her side late in the game to see that it ended 1-2 in favour of ASSE.
At the end of the first round, Philosophy sat atop the log in Group A with 3 points and a goal difference (GD) of 3. Nursing was second-place with 3 points and a GD of 1; in third place was Archeology & Anthropology with 0 points and GD. History and LARIS both sat at fourth and fifth, respectively, both with 0 points, but LARIS has a GD of -3.
In Group B, A.S.S.E and Statistics were joint top with three points each and a GD of 1. Public Health were third place with zero points and a GD of 0, while M.B.B.S and Linguistics were joint fourth with the same number of points but with a GD of -1
MATCHDAY 2
Group A
Plato Femini backed up their commanding 3-0 win in their first game with a 1-0 victory over History. Dorcas got the only goal in the game. Arch & Anth announced themselves in grand style for their first game with a 4-nil thrashing of LARIS. The goals came courtesy of Kemi and Blessing, who bagged brace each. For LARIS, it seems things are beginning to look bad.
Group B
In another keenly contested tie for the female student doctors against Statistics this time, they were again left searching for their first win after Suliyat from Statistics replied with a direct freekick from the halfway line to Eseosa’s fine finish almost immediately to have the match end 1-1.
For their first game, Public Health went up against Linguistics. Sunbo’s early strike was enough to grab all three points for the current Provost Cup holders. Linguistics tried to pull one back but couldn’t find the back of the net.
At the end of Matchday 2, in Group A, Philosophy cemented her lead with six points, and Arch & Anth displaced Nursing at second position on GD, both having three points. History and LARIS still remained fourth and fifth, respectively.
In Group B, Statistics were table toppers with four points, A.S.S.E was joint second with Public Health, both with three points. M.B.B.S were fourth with just a single point, and Linguistics were fifth-place with zero.
MATCHDAY 3
Group A
Matchday 3 at the Cricket Pavilion kicked off with the Historians against Arch & Anth. It ended 0-1 in favour of Arch & Anth through a goal by Gloria. Yet again, History is without a win. Plato Femini booked their spot in the next round by putting two past Nursing. It would seem that Fisayo can’t stop scoring, as she extended her golden boot run with two more goals. This loss puts the Nursing girls in a precarious position, as they would need to win their remaining two games to stand a chance to qualify.
Group B
The first win for MBBS finally came against rivals Public Health. It was a tense game, as expected, and it saw Sunbo of Public Health and Victoria of MBBS both convert penalties in the first half before Agnes made it two for the student doctors in the second half. The game ended 2-1. ASSE completely outclassed a stubborn Statistics side by two unreplied goals to extend their winning streak. Both goals came courtesy of Lolade.
At the end of Matchday 3. In Group A, Philosophy made it nine points out of a possible nine. Arch & Anth strengthened their second-place position pending Nursing’s game in the next round. Again, History and LARIS remained fourth and fifth, respectively.
A.S.S.E hijacked the top spot in the group of death with six points from Statistics, who still had four points. M.B.B.S, with four points, leapfrogged Public Health with three points. Linguistics remained in fifth position.
MATCHDAY 4
Group A
Philosophy handed Arch & Anth their first defeat of the tourney. A sweet strike from Fisayo and a lofted kick from the Philosophy goalkeeper, Iseoluwa, saw that Philosophy made it four wins out of four. A brace by Ashanger gave Nursing a well-deserved three points against LARIS, who looked like they will be exiting the competition without a point for themselves.
Group B
Linguistics were well on their way to giving us the upset of the round when they quickly put two goals past ASSE, through Busola and Chineze. They, however, capitulated under pressure from ASSE later in the game and conceded three goals from a Lola brace and Esther goal.
In a crucial game for both sides, Suliyat came through for Statistics again by providing their goals against Public Health. The game ended 2-0 in favour of Statistics. It has to be said that Suliyat had scored all Statistics goals in the tourney up to that point. Now, the Statisticians will have to bring out their calculators and wait for the result from the MBBS game in the next round.
At the end of Matchday 4, who qualifies as top of group A is already evident. The real question is who else will qualify from the group. This question will be answered in the next round when Arch & Anth go against Nursing in an all-to-play-for-tie. They are both on six points, although Arch & Anth lead on GD. History and LARIS remained fourth and fifth, respectively.
In Group B, it is a similar story. ASSE are clear winners of the group, while Statistics hold their breaths and hope MBBS do not win by more than a margin of two goals as that would bring them to seven points also and a GD of 2, which is more than 1 (of Statistics). Public Health remained fourth with three points, and Linguistics maintained the status quo.
MATCHDAY 5
The only match that held was between Arch & Anth and Nursing. It ended in a goalless stalemate despite the best efforts of the Nursing girls. This means Arch & Anth will join Philosophy in the knockouts.
The three other matches of the day involved walkovers.
LARIS 3 – 0 History (walkover)
ASSE 3 – 0 Public Health (walkover)
MBBS 3 – 0 Linguistics (walkover)
According to the rules, a walkover is automatically a 3-goal win.
The issue of the walkovers raises questions about the spirit of sportsmanship in some teams, in the event that they were available to play the said games.
The walkovers between LARIS vs History and ASSE vs Public Health were of no serious consequences because none of the teams’ fates would have been affected by different results. However, that of MBBS vs Linguistics gave the female student doctors the much-needed goals to boost their GD so they could qualify ahead of statistics on goal difference tally, which they did.
With the field narrowed and the pretenders separated from the contenders, the tournament moves into its most critical phase. Plato Femini (Philosophy), The Invincibles (ASSE), Archeology & Anthropology, and the student doctors (MBBS) are sharpening their strategies, knowing that one mistake could spell the end of their dreams. Buckle up because if the group stages were any indication, we’re in for a thrilling ride to the final. Following the World Cup knockout format, Philosophy should be going against MBBS while ASSE face Arch and Anth. UIMSA Press will be there, where will you be?
Gerald Olokungbemi.
