By: Adebowale Akinjide
The stage is set, the UISU Super Cup starts today, and many football lovers are ready to feast. The Old SUB pitch is set to be filled to the brim again as 14 departments will be hoisting the flag of 14 faculties while the fans cheer on.
The Super Cup is the first of its kind; modeled exactly after the FIFA Club World Cup, where the winners of the last Dean's Cup from each faculties will be squaring against each other in one-legged knockout games.
If there was at least one thing the last SEALS Cup showed, it is that UI, apart from her leading role in the Nigerian academia space, it is a also a fertile land for football talents. As the Super Cup kickstarts today, here are the top ten best players to look out for.
Note: This list has been compiled by the UISU Sports Committee
10. Oshobue Robin Oshozie aka Robinson
Robinson is a 300 Level student of the department of Animal Science. Majorly a left winger, he has represented his department at two editions of the SEALS Cup.
While his performances for Animal Science has relatively not been too impressive in the SEALS Cup, he can boast in his recently concluded Sigma Chief's League gold medal being a major feature for SFA.
9. Oyewole Gbenga Emmanuel aka Sulphur
Sulphur is a versatile player who can play as a fullback and as a holding midfielder. He is a 300 level student of Wildlife and Ecotourism, and also an important figure for UI Pioneer, while he also dons his Sigma Chief's League Silver medal.
8. Olusola Segun Boluwatife pka John
John is a central defender and a 300L Microbiology student. He is an astute defender who can be trusted at the back.
As a captain, he earns the trust of his teammates at the back for his aerial prowess and the ability to clear his lines.
He led an underdog Microbiology team that battled it out against MBBS at the 2023 SEALS Cup RO16, forcing the game to a penalty shootout, although, Microbiology would later succumb to MBBS during the penalties.
7. Odunukan Gbemiga aka Bobby Jay
Bobby Jay is a 300 Level Student of Human Nutrition. He was a main figure for Human Nutrition in the last Provost Cup when they beat a fully stacked MBBS to the gold medal.
As the team's goalkeeper, Odunukan gave Human Nutrition the glory by stepping up to save numerous penalties, earning him the competition's MVP (most valuable player).
He is also a Survival Cup silver medalist and currently Indy Hall's Sports Commissioner.
Bobby Jay can also step up for his team when needed as a defender.
6. Adesina Daniel pka Oscar
His two goals for KHE as a midfielder in the just concluded NUESA Dean's Cup is a testament to his significance for KHE in their Dean's Cup triumph.
Oscar's winning spree goes beyond KHE, as he also was a member of the 2021 Zik Hall team that won the 2021 Inter Hall as an 100 level student. He was also a part of the Zik Hall team that won the INFINIX FIVE-A-SIDE competition.
Daniel currently serves in Zik as the Halls' Sports Minister.
5. Ogunleye John pka JohnTomi
If there is an amazing record JohnTomi has, it is that being a 500 level student of Mechanical Engineering, he has won the Faculty of Technology's Dean's Cup four times as a striker.
While Mechanical Engineering's outing in the last SEALS Cup was one to forget, both for Mech and JohnTomi himself, he can be consoled by his Gala Cup Winner's medal.
Ogunleye is also an Inter Faculty Bronze medalist, and also an important player of UI Pioneer.
In a Mechanical Engineering team that looks shaky, JohnTomi should be a player the team can count on.
4. Awolowo Oluwadamilare pka Awolowo
Awolowo is a 400 Level attacking-midfielder for Philosophy. He was an integral member of Philosophy's popular Plato Academy. He was nominated for player of the tournament in the 2022 SEALS Cup where Philosophy lost to Geography in the final in a penalty shootout.
Awolowo would later win the MVP in the 2023 SEALS Cup while Philosophy would also later win the gold medal in a similar shootout against Political Science with Awolowo's late freekick handing Plato Academy a lifeline at the death.
Awolowo has also won the Faculty of Arts Dean's Cup twice, AFAS Super 4 trophy twice, INFINIX 5-Aside gold medal, Zik Hall Interfloor gold medal and other titles.
3. Benjamin Adekunle aka Karbon
Karbon is that winger you would peeing in your pants defending. Known for his beastlike work-rate and his ability to press any defender with high intensity, Karbon is also a fast runner with the ball, with his short frame giving him a low center of gravity to keep the ball while at high speed.
In a seemingly Karbon fashion, he scored the only goal in MBBS 1-0 win in their quarterfinal game against IPE in the last SEALS Cup.
As a 500 Level student of MBBS, Karbon has won every ABH tournament, SEALS Cup bronze medal and a Provost Cup silver medal.
2. Elkana Ayuba aka Pogba
Pogba is the only Postgraduate student in this list for a reason. He is the most active postgraduate student in UI football. He was a central figure for Political Science in their 2023 SEALS Cup first runner-up finish.
Pogba was also a main figure for PG Hall in their INFINIX 5-Aside silver medal win.
As a defensive midfielder, Pogba's tall and imposing frame makes him an outstanding ball-winner, while he also excels at playing as a Regista, starting plays from the middle of the park.
In 2021, Pogba also won the FATSSSA Dean's Cup and the Inter Faculty Tournament.
Pogba would prove to be important again for Political Science as they go on in their quest in UI football.
1. Agbetuyi John aka Papi
Undisputed as numero uno for numerous reasons-- 2022 Seals Cup Golden boot winner, UI School team's striker, scored 5 goals for Philosophy in the 2023 SEALS Cup (4 in the knockouts).
A 300 Level student of Philosophy, Papi was already a main player for Philosophy since his 100 level days, and he has only gotten better since then.
Papi has won one AFAS Dean's Cup trophy, two AFAS Super 4 trophy, SEALS Cup silver medal, SEALS Cup gold medal, one-time SEALS Cup golden boot.
His athletic frame makes a him good header of the ball, while his speed and his dribbling ability makes him able to operate from the flanks as an explosive winger, where he was deployed most times in the last SEALS Cup.
Goodluck to your defense when Papi runs at it.
.jpeg)
