By: Yusuf Rahmon

More drama continues to unfold at the SEALS Cup as the second round of games went underway on Thursday, 5th of September, 2023 at the well-known SUB football pitch.

As expected, the matches were graced by the school’s Student Union Executives and some notable personnel from all the participating departments. The massive turnout from supporters and other football lovers further proved that the SEALS Cup is unarguably the biggest sports event in the University of Ibadan at the moment.

Psychology Dominates Sociology In four-goal Thriller

Psychology were quite ruthless when they took on Sociology. In fact, it could be said that the game was one that showed the difference between men and boys as Physiology ensured that their opponents walked away with a bag full of goals.

The match ended four goals to nil in favour of Psychology who appeared to be reading the minds of the Sociology players to dominate the game.

With their win, Psychology maintained its spot at the top of the table while Sociology remained second with a game to go.

Drama As Education Management Force SPE To A Draw

The supporters of Education Management were vociferous when their players attempted to stage a comeback against Petroleum Engineering. Although a late header by Bolu from SPE was enough to ensure both teams walked away with a point.

The game which saw the most goals by both teams so far in the tournament started on a rather boring note as the two teams struggled to compose their play.

However, the SPE players soon got a goal out of nowhere amidst cries of offside by Edu. Management players as Ojele headed home a beautiful cross from the right.

SPE maintained their lead until halftime but soon gifted it away as their fullback Bolu inadvertently headed the ball into his own net while trying to clear his lines.

However, just over a minute later, Edu. Management were awarded a penalty following a handball in the box to extend their advantage to two goals.

Still, they could not secure all three points as a late header by Bolu eventually claimed a point for the SPE team. As it stands, only the God of football can keep SPE in the tournament with a game to go in the group stage.

Microbiology Secure First Win Against Geography

Microbiology kept their hope of qualifying for the next round alive as they recorded a narrow win against Geography. MCB stepped on the pitch as underdogs having lost their first match against Edu. Management, but shocked the crowd as they claimed all three points against the out-of-form Geography. The game ended 2-1 in favour of MCB.

MBBS Thrashes Philosophy

MBBS defied all odds when they faced Philosophy in their second game of the tournament. The game which was expected to be difficult for them ended up being a stepping stone for the players from ABH. MBBS opened the scoring just before halftime from the penalty spot and added two more in the second half, thanks to a powerful shot from Jide.

It was a well-deserved win for the MBBS team, who are close to securing a place in the next round.

Wood Products Engineering Claim First Win Against Arabic and Islamic Studies 

WPE recorded their first win in the 2023 SEALS Cup against Arabic and Islamic Studies to keep their hope of qualifying for the next round alive.

The game could have gone either way with both teams trying to break the deadlock with saves coming from both ends of the pitch. The first goal soon came from WPE striker, Mujeeb, who reacted first to a rebound by the in-form winger, Akin.

The duo soon linked up again to extend WPE’s advantage by two goals after a deep cross from Akin found his way to Mujeeb who brilliantly headed the ball past the helpless AIS goalie.

However, a late red card to Mujeeb saw the WPE team frustrated at the end of the match despite their victory.

IPE Cruises To Easy Win Against Economics

The Economics players obviously could not manage themselves well when they went up against IPE who cruised past them in a 4-goal win.

IPE wasted no time in opening the scoreline as the Economics goalie failed to connect with a short freekick by Pius and handed the lead to IPE.

Shortly before halftime, IPE doubled their lead as Economics failed to clear their line and allowed Zee to slide the ball past their goalie.

The defence fumbled again in the subsequent goals with Paragon heading home the third for IPE while the fourth was an own goal resulting from a deflected clearance.

With that win, IPE now sit comfortably at the top of the table with six points.

Profligate Law Fail To Defend Themselves Against Chemistry

Chemistry bounced back from their opening defeat against IPE to secure their first win of the tournament against Law.

A first-half penalty goal for Chemistry was enough to hand them all three points against the wasteful Law team.

Both teams now have the same points and hope to qualify for the next round.

Classics Vs Physiology Ends In Deadlock

We finally had the first goalless game of the second round when Classics faced Physiology in their second game of the tournament.

Both teams appeared to have lost the intensity they showed in their first game which they won, and that saw them settle for a goalless draw.

Another Comeback But A Win For Animal Science
Animal Science was involved in another game that had a comeback. But this time, it was in their favour. The team lost their opening game against Physiology, who completed a comeback against the uninspiring former.

However, Animal Science were determined to change the headline and became the comeback hero against Architecture in a 2-1 win.

Statistics Records Second Win Against Nursing

Statistics secured a spot in the round of 16 with a lone goal win against Nursing. An early goal in the first half for Statistics was sufficient to wave off empty threats at goal from the Nursing attackers.

As it stands, Nursing is out of the tournament following Geology’s loss to LARIS.

LARIS Joins Statistics in The Round Of 16

It was all smiles for the LARIS players who secured a spot in the round of 16 following their victory against Geology.

They recorded their first win against Nursing and showed Geology some great football.

Political Science Defeats Clueless Vet. Medicine

The echoes of frustrations from the Vet. Medicine’s coach cracked up every spectator as he could not believe his eyes with the kind of football his team played.

The Vet players’ performance, except Hessy was below par and although Political Science won with just a goal, it was an easy ride.

Forestry Plants Three On EEE
Forestry secured an easy 3-0 win against the Electrical and Electronic Engineering team to secure their first win of the tournament at the dusk of the day.

Forestry was the better side throughout the match and was able to get three goals past the EEE goalie before the final whistle was blown.

EEE’s chances of qualification are very slim but you never can’t tell in football.

Human Kinetics Infects Public Health With Three Goals

Goals from the SU Sports Secretary, Etana, Tobi, and Balo were enough to secure all three points for KHE against Public Health, who pulled one back through FK in the penultimate game of matchday 2.

Both teams had their chances in the game, but while KHE were converting their chances, the Public Health attackers could not break the defence line of the Human Kinetics. It ended 3-1 in favour of the Human Kinetics.

ASSE Remain Unbeaten Despite Computer Science’s Advances

ASSE and Computer Science faced off in the last game of the matchday 2, and the former claimed all three points by a lone goal.

The goal came during the first half following some quick interchange of passes by ASSE, which neutralized CSC’s defense line. The faculty of science lads continued to push for an equalizer until the final whistle was blown but could not get past the ASSE goalie.