Seals Cup 2023: Philosophy, IPE through to Seals Cup Quarter-finals
IBADAN (Made In Africa Sport) – Philosophy canceled all doubt about their dominance in University of Ibadan football on Monday, 16 October 2023, as they progressed to the quarter-finals courtesy of a 2 – 0 win over Group A leaders Educational Management.
Educational Management knocked out the former Seals Cup champions Geography in their final group stage match but couldn’t meet similar success against the runners-up. Left winger John made a sublime run from the left flank into the 18-yard box to meet a delicately lofted pass from deep in the Philosophy half.
He completed the finish on his first touch, striking it in Robin-van-Persie-style to put Philosophy in the lead. They went on to net a second goal through Keye, as the midfielder got his first goal of the tournament to cap an all-round performance.
Industrial Products Engineering were uninspiring, but they got the job done as they secured a spot in the last 8 with a 1- 0 win over Sociology. The first half saw some lack of intensity in the game, and that slow-paced gameplay plagued the second half until IPE got their goal.
A corner kick situation set the central striker, Paragon, up for a goal, as he took a touch to steady himself and flicked the ball home on his right foot to send his team to the quarter-finals. The Sociology defense had been so effective in keeping attacking threats from IPE strikers out, but they switched off for a moment and were punished with Paragon’s goal.
The match looked like it would be halted by the rain, but it was only a lazy drizzle towards the end of the game. The IPE defenders kept up a professional approach to the game, as they kept denying Sociology strikers even up till the final moments of the game.
Many spectators believed that both teams were subpar for most parts of the game. Some even believed that the game had all the signs of a penalty, but Paragon’s goal was the difference at SUB, and Sociology is out of their campaign for the Seals Cup trophy.
The other two round-of-16 fixtures to be held on Monday were rescheduled for other times. Psychology and Chemistry managed to get their match fixed for Wednesday due to the unavailability of the majority of the squad members while MBBS were notified late about their rescheduled game against Microbiology. The MBBS team expressed grievances at the late notice but agreed to a new time for Tuesday, October 17, 2023.
Tuesday will feature more round-of-16 action from the Seals Cup. Hang around here for more match reviews from Made in Africa Sport.
