A lone goal scored in the first half by Caxton-Martins Emmanuel was the decider in the Semi-Final game of Football in the ongoing Vice-Chancellor’s Inter-Faculties Games, played by teams from the Faculties of Management Sciences and Law on Tuesday, January 23, 2024.
Both teams had put up very impressive performances at the preliminary stages to waltz their way into the knock-out stage. It was therefore a stimulating feature, which attracted spectators in their numbers.
The UNILAG Sports Centre, venue of the encounter, was brimming with life and colours, as supporters of the competing faculties tried to out-do each other in showing support for their favourite teams.
Appearing in Sky Blue-and-White, the boys from Management Sciences put up a masterclass in attacking football. They asked questions of the defence formation of the Faculty of Law, right from the blast of the whistle. Captain of the team, Adetoro Razak Aderemi, put in a maestro’s shift in midfield, initiating the attack that finally led to the only goal of the match, scored by Emmanuel in the 44th minute.
What they did not show in attack, the boys from the Faculty of Law brilliantly displayed in defence. Decked in White-and-Navy Blue, they put up a sturdy resistance to the attacking forays of their opposite number. The player in Jersey Number 5, Tolani Akinwande, shone brightly in this regard; helping his team to regain composure and to make attacking runs of their own.
When the referee blew the final whistle at 90 minutes, it was evident to all that they had been treated to a delightful sight of football artistry, which the Faculty of Management Sciences won to progress to the Final.
Fostering Friendship and Discovering Talents
Prior to kick-off, a brief and colourful march-past of contingents from all participating faculties had entertained guests and spectators.
On hand to grace the occasion with their presence was the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, FAS, OON and other members of the University Management.
In his opening remarks, Chairman of the Governing Board, University of Lagos Sports Council, Prof. Afolabi Lesi, gave the rationale for the Games as “fostering friendship among students, identifying talents, and preparing the school teams for the upcoming FASU Games”.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ogunsola, also had fine words of encouragement for the students. She urged them to seize the moment to display their talents, connect with each other, and exhibit the values of sportsmanship.
“The University of Lagos is ready to support your all-round development as a Future-Ready graduate”, she declared.
The second tranche of the Semi-Finals will take place at the UNILAG Sports Centre between the Faculty of Education and the Faculty of Environmental Sciences on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. The winner of the fixture will then compete with the Faculty of Management Sciences at the Final of the Vice-Chancellor’s Inter-Faculties Games on Friday, January 26, 2024.
REPORTER: Isaiah Kumuyi
PHOTOGRAPHER: Ayo Oloyede
