By Temiloluwa Erinle
(Final result of the final match between UNILAG and UDS. Image Credit: FASU)
The University of Lagos (UNILAG) male football team lost their campaign for gold after a sinking 3-0 defeat to University for Development Studies (UDS), Ghana. The final match, which happened on the last day of the 11th FASU Games, Sunday, September 29, was the last event of the multi-sports festival.
A gentle morning sun contrasting a packed, blaring stadium, the game was kicked off at 10 am. An earnest UNILAG soon dominated the beginning of the game. But as the game wore on, a sleepy defence was caught off guard when a UDS attacker launched a powerful shot from outside the box. A wide dive by the goalkeeper would do nothing to stop the ball from entering the low-left corner of the post. UDS went one up.
Soon again, UNILAG Marines would be punished when a long pass from the corner side was made into the box. The Marine goalkeeper made an initial save but a confident rebound would be unstoppable, putting UDS in a 2-0 lead, just in the first half of the game.
When the second half began, the Marines pushed for an early goal. However, a closely monitored attack and an ineffectual midfield would prove unqualified to the task. A disorganized UNILAG side soon conceded the third and last goal of the game when a UDS attacker charged into the 18-yard box, forcefully evading defenders, and defeated the goalkeeper in their one-on-one face-off. A thrashing 3-goal defeat of the co-host meant silver medals for the Marines and gold for UDS.
In the last edition of FASU Games in Kenyatta University, Kenya, UDS won bronze in the football event. In the group stage of the just-concluded tournament, they thumped Nkumba University 4-1 and whooped University of Jos 5-0. These facts, easily defeating UNILAG, and a formidable display throughout the tournament demonstrate a side that has been relentless in its pursuit of gold and glory.
The last winner of gold in the football event was Kenyatta University. They did not make it through the group stage.
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