Seals Cup 2023: Hippocrates triumphs over Socrates as MBBS thrash Philosophy 3-0
IBADAN (Made In Africa Sport) – The Medicine and Surgery team entered the Seals Cup 2023 as underdogs, but they have thrown all doubt in the bin as they went three goals up against last year’s runners-up, Philosophy, on Thursday, 5 October 2023. The match was touted to be the fixture of the day, as both teams recorded resounding victories in their opening fixtures.
But Philosophy was easily blown aside, as their technical set-up fell apart to a more effective counter tactic from MBBS at the SUB football pitch. As usual, pre-match talks touted Awolowo and the rest of the Philosophy attack to breeze past the MBBS defense with their tested and trusted attacking tactics. But football is full of plot twists, and there has been no more ruthless twist than MBBS’ victory all week.
The Medicos began the match by asking questions of the Philosophy team, as midfielder Quyum ‘Istanbul’ Afolabi lined up a shot early in the first half in search of an early goal. The midfielder was off-balance, however, and his shot was well off-target, but the intentions of the MBBS team were unmistakable; they were here for blood.
Laolu was a constant menace against the Philosophy defense on the left flank, as he constantly lost his marker to his slippery movements, carving up space in central areas for central striker Jide. Jide was unable to connect with most of the chances in the match, as he had more physical opponents in the Philosophy box to contend with.
The first goal came in courtesy of a handball from a Philosophy defender, and Laolu duly converted to put MBBS ahead. Istanbul and Habeeb were prominent in keeping the ball for MBBS, ensuring that playmakers in Philosophy–Awolowo and Raphael–saw as little of the ball as possible.
The second half had a slow start, but the MBBS team was the faster side to recover from the break. They reduced the physical intensity, having gained significant confidence, and began working the 5-man Philosophy midfield. Philosophy adjusted to an unfamiliar counter-attacking game plan, and it was only a matter of time before MBBS notched another goal.
An MBBS midfielder spotted Jide in some space and lifted a delicate pass onto his path. The striker seemed to have started offside, but neither official made a call, and he continued his prowling stroll before chipping expertly over Leke to find the back of the net.
Philosophy tried to find a way back into the game using their champion mentality, but they could only concede fouls from the now confident MBBS team. Captain Prime went into the books for Philosophy for his sliding challenge on Laolu. Meanwhile, Fuhad and Abang came on at different times to refresh the team’s style.
Both substitutes had their mark on the game, as Fuhad mounted formidable threats on the right flank. His cross opened a chance for Jide and Laolu, but neither could find the back of the net for all their good intentions.
Awolowo got a first shot on target for Philosophy, as his free kick almost resulted in a goal for his side. MBBS could clear and counter, gaining a corner for their efforts. The corner-kick led to their third goal, as substitute Abang collected the half-cleared ball and laid it on for Istanbul, who held off his marker and smashed his shot unstoppably past a sea of Philosophy players to heap misery on the faculty of Art giants.
Philosophy was not the only side to suffer an upset today, as Geography went down 1 – 2 to Microbiology in dramatic fashion. Petroleum Engineering held Educational Management to a 2 -2 draw, as Captain Ojele featured in his more preferred position as a central forward. His team was unlucky as they lost their lead to an own goal and a penalty, but Petroleum Engineering had the final say, as they benefited from a late corner to level things at SUB.
Psychology raced past Sociology, pumping four goals without a reply and running clear at the top of their group with six points. Fellow group members Wood Products Engineering and Arabic & Islamic Studies will commence action tomorrow morning by 8:00 a.m. while Industrial Engineering will take on Economics by 9:30 a.m. in what should be an easy win for the Engineering team.
Law will follow, facing Chemistry by 11:00 a.m., Classics will go against Physiology by 3:oo p.m., while Animal Science will round up for the day against Architecture.
Stay with us for more match reviews as the Seals Cup progresses.
