After defeating First Technical University and Lead City University 2-0 apiece, the final match against LAUTECH in the Pre-NUGA football competition was by far UI’s biggest test. UI Pioneers would have to defeat LAUTECH convincingly with three points clear to qualify for the NUGA games. There were reasons to be worried, the least of which was not the fact that LAUTECH had flexed bigger muscles, beating Lead city University 3 goals to nil while First Technical University had suffered a far worse drubbing – 7 goals to a not so consoling 1. UI Pioneers could not afford a loss or a draw, only one team could qualify, the first and best university or the visiting neighbours from Ogbomosho.
UI, LAUTECH: Fiercely tied foes
The last fixture in the NUGA qualifying rounds began after midday on Friday, 28th, one of those long January afternoons that typically stretched into weeks. At the blast of the whistle to kickoff, no one was left in doubt that the brown weather-beaten Awo stadium grasses were about to suffer a fate far beyond natural causes. Nonetheless, supporters from both sides filled the stands with enthusiastic singing and chanting to fuel the already fired up atmosphere.
Early in the contest, Emmanuel, one of UI’s formidable attacking midfielders and a notable son of Zik hall, clayed up with the red soils of maracana saw a clearing, took the chance and released a powerful shot towards goal but UI would be denied an early lead by LAUTECH’s goalie who kept up the streak till the end of the first half.
An August Visitor in January
The second half had barely begun when Awo stadium was honoured by the presence of UNILAG’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, and other NUGA officials to observe the Pre-NUGA games in UI. Given the brevity of his visit, Prof. Ogundipe addressed the welcoming crowd on the essence of the NUGA games. He stressed that the games was a way of proving that Nigeria is not known only for corruption. He also pointed out that it was an avenue to expose sport potentials in Nigeria to the world. He took his leave shortly after leaving a swayed crowd to watch the rest of a match that would not be interrupted, or so everyone thought
More than just a football game
While the VC made his address, the match progressed with both sides finding no chink in the other’s armour. However, midway into the second half, the action shifted from the grassy pitch to the farther spectators’ stands. It appeared that a group of individuals, who turned out to be LAUTECH supporters were venting angrily and were gradually approaching the pitch, forcing the referee to pause the match until calmness was restored which was not until sometime.
As the vituperations increased, it was not long before numerous UI supporters joined in the action. Although the unrest persisted for about 20 minutes, the cause remained unclear. It was first thought that the LAUTECH supporters were triggered by the jives and jests of the home side supporters and decided that they’ve had enough. A second opinion was that the LAUTECH supporters were discontented by the fact that a UIte, who was assisting as a ball boy was permitted to stay around the pitch, claiming that it could lead to foul play. In the midst of the building chaos, players on both sides retreated to the centre of the pitch to avoid being mobbed
Whether it was the case that the relentless teases from the UI side was frustratingly unbearable or the visiting side should have an equal right to retrieve balls before fairness was regarded, there could be no doubting the fact that the tensed match contest was quite overwhelming for both sides. Eventually, order was restored after some officials had dutifully intervened and the game was restarted.
A Zikite finds the net
It was not long before both sides returned to worrying over the fate of their respective teams. While LAUTECH could settle for a draw to qualify, UI desperately needed a win. The latter’s fate was almost sealed in defeat when UI’s goalie ventured towards the edge of the box to make a save but miscalculated his aim, an opponent got the ball, faced an empty net but still managed to miss the target.
The match climaxed in the final quarter when Michael Ilori, reputed for his outstanding performance for Zik hall in the last inter-hall competition, came off the bench to provide support in the attack. Michael gave UI something to yell about after he connected well with a left cross from Ibrahim, the left back, driving the ball certainly into the net. The ululation that followed was only equalled by a latter call for the final whistle, which came soon after. The celebrations that followed was rightly inspired by Zik hall’s signature move – a borne coffin indicating the opponent’s irreversible defeat.
SAINT
