By Adekunle-Oni Daniel

In what could be called a thrilling football game, the University of Ibadan male football team, UI Pioneers, defeated the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology(LAUTECH) to secure a spot in the main 2025 NUGA tournament

The match started with high intensity, with both teams dominating  in counterattack.

The UI captain, Mujeeb, had registered a goal early in the first half, but it was ruled offside. The UI Pioneers were able to put the LAUTECH team on their feet as they continued mounting pressure on their defense.

One of the biggest chances the Pioneers got in the first half was a shot from outside the box from Pamilerin, which was intercepted by the LAUTECH goalkeeper. Intense for both sides, the first half ended in a goalless draw.

The second half of the game began with all sense of urgency to break the deadlock from  both sides.  UI Pioneers pressing attacks got more of the highlights but had most of their chances played to the hands of the LAUTECH goalkeeper.

The deadlock was broken when a LAUTECH defender  committed an intentional handball foul to deny UI pioneers an imminent goal. he was consequently booked red card and sent off the pitch with a penalty being awarded to the host team. Ayodeji converted the penalty, giving the UI Pioneers a 1-0 lead.

The Pioneers capitalized on the red card and controlled most of the second half. With a strong defense and a solid Olami at the goal post for the Pioneers, the LAUTECH attack could only play towards the third half but couldn’t go far. Olami gave the fans a sigh of relief after parrying a scary shot over the crossbar.

The second goal came in as Mbappe and Demilade took advantage of the cross  from Mjay with Mbappe  converting the chance after slipping the ball  into the goal post

LAUTECH continued to mount pressure in the third half but were denied every access to score a goal. The game ended in a 2-0 victory for UI Pioneers with the winning team securing a spot in the main NUGA tournament.