By: Kelvin Omachonu
In a chat with the Students’ Union President, Comrade Oluwasegun Akeju, he mentioned that unlike the recent editions which were organised by the University Sports Council, this year’s inter-faculty football competition is organised by the Students’ Union. The last time the Union organised the inter-hall competition was in 2016, before the university management proscribed the union. However, the University Sports Council will still take charge of the inter-faculty competition, which begins on 11 September, 2021.
In an interview with the sports directors of some halls, the directors stated their discomfort with the short notice they were given before the competition. They stated that they only got wind of the competition on 27 August, 2021. They lamented that they were unable to prepare adequately for the competition, as they were only informed of the competition seven days before the start.
Nonetheless, the show has to go on. Due to the rush, what used to be a competition that would see the teams divided into two groups, with the first two progressing to the semis, turned into a knockout competition from the first round.
The battle of skills, stamina and team work began on the 3 September, 2021, at the SUB pitch. Despite the rain and the circumstances, players and supporters turned up en masse to support their various teams. Eight male halls and four female halls are involved in this year’s winner-takes-all competition.
The competition kicked off with Abdusalam Abubakar Hall and Mellanby Hall getting us underway. The Abubakar team were too strong for Mellanby Hall, as the latter were dispatched with a 2 – 0 beating.
Zik Hall then squared off against Kuti Hall. it was an interesting game to watch, with both teams playing end-to-end stuff. However, the Balubites escaped with a 2 – 1 victory that would not have surfaced if the hall of great men were great with their finishing. On Saturday, Independence Hall went into battle against Sultan Bello Hall. Bellites made the Katanga Warriors look like weaklings, as they ran out with a 2 – 1 victory, although Independence Hall saw more of the ball.
Tedder Hall flogged Alexander Brown Hall 1 – 0. An early goal was enough to see the lords through. The female teams will begin their games on 8 September, with Queens Hall to trade tackles with Idia Hall, while Awo will try to show their superiority over Alexander Brown Hall.
