By: Lawal Oluwadamilare 

The 2024 Seals Cup will conclude on Friday, August 21, as IPE faces off against MBBS in the championship match. IPE, a familiar contender in the tournament, is determined to make amends for missing the finals last season. They defeated Political Science in a penalty shootout to reach this year’s final.

Recall that the last match between IPE and MBBS was marred by controversy. MBBS knocked IPE out of the quarterfinals with a disputed win, sparking a pitch invasion by IPE fans. The game’s turning point came when a supposed handball foul was committed by an MBBS player, leading to IPE’s outrage.

The referee’s decision not to award a penalty sparked anger among IPE fans, who claimed there had been multiple ignored handball calls against MBBS.

MBBS coach Mark Obeya acknowledged the handball foul but insisted it occurred outside the penalty area. The incident led to some IPE fans physically confronting the referee, with reports of slapping and chasing the culprits.

This season, IPE has made a remarkable run, led by top scorer Paragon, who has netted eight goals in the competition. They will be eager to capitalize on MBBS’s weaknesses.

However, MBBS has demonstrated dominance throughout the tournament, showcasing their quality in victories over Petroleum and Psychology.

The final promises to be an intense showdown, with IPE captain Vk aiming to contain MBBS’s attacking threats, including Ola’s.

The midfield battle between Carbon and Pamilerin will be crucial. Will IPE exact revenge, or will MBBS inflict another painful defeat on the Faculty of Tech side?

The stage is set for an exciting conclusion to the Seals Cup.