There was an upset for Team UNILAG on Thursday as the male football team missed the chance to play in the final of the event in the ongoing Nigeria University Games (NUGA).
The hosts lost to the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife Giants 3-4 on penalties.
The tension soaked match between the two teams at the Sports Centre of UNILAG had ended one goal apiece after 90 minutes.
The UNILAG Marines drew the first blood in the second half of the match through Doyin Omotosho while OAU Giants replied almost immediately courtesy a strike from Olanrewaju Yekini.
The strike silenced UNILAG’s boisterous fans and stretched the match to a penalty shootout.
UNILAG Marines lost two penalties while OAU Giants lost one to advance to the final on a 4-3 aggregate.
The Team Captain of OAU Giants, Toheeb Adegoke, told NAN that the resilience of the team worked for them.
“The game is about resilience; we have been playing since Sunday, having it on our minds that we want to fight and win.
“We can say we have a plan but God made it to work, it is about God’s grace.
“We came to the match with the intention to win, but they scored first after which we equalised, so heads up.
“We want to win the gold by taking a revenge on University of Ilorin (Unilorin) who defeated us in the last HiFl Cup, it’s time for us to show class,” he said.
NAN reports that the other match had Unilorin beat Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), 2-1 to set up a date with OAU on Friday.
UNILAG will fight against NSUK for third place.
