University of Lagos (UNILAG) on Monday defeated Ukumba University of Uganda 2-1 in the football event of the ongoing 11th All Africa University Games (FASU) in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)reports that Chisom Odilli opened scoring in the seventh minute of the game to put host UNILAG ahead.
As the game ended 1-0 in the first half, the boys from Uganda came back strong in the second half to equalise through Henri Mukasa in the 52nd minute.
Team Uganda, knowing that a draw would see them through,employed delay tactics, which did not deter UNILAG, who were desperately looking for the winning goal.
Their desperation paid off in the 87th minute as Isaac Olanipekun rose to connect an outbound header from his colleague to nod in the winning goal for his team,
The Lagos team had lost their first match 0-1 to University for Development Studies, Ghana.
An elated UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, Prof Folashade Ogunsola,who was at the match venue to cheer the boys to victory, described the performance of the team as fantastic.
“These boys’ performance was fantastic and we need to praise them. It is not easy playing under such pressure and I understand,” she said.
Coach of Team Lagos, Oluwadun Babatunde ,said that it was not easy being the host team.
“We thank God Almighty for the victory today. Prior to first win, the jingle in town was FASU gold.
“The management of the university and some prominent personalities strongly believe in Team UNILAG, I told the Director of Sports yesterday that Argentina lost their first game in World Cup and played in the final and won.
“Same to the Ivory Coast during the AFCON when they lost against Nigeria and won the cup.
“The boys were totally down yesterday, half of them didn’t take dinner . That showed that they were angry with themselves for conceding to a team that we overplayed.
Babatunde added; “We had our chances and football is a very spiritual game, if you don’t take it you will pay for it and we paid for not taking our chances in the first game
“We are the home team and the pressure is on us, anyone can score from the first line to the centre forward, you can score.”he said.
NAN reports that Team UNILAG is in Group B alongside, Nkumba University, Uganda, University for Development Studies, Ghana, University of Jos and University of Kunkan, Guinea.
Team UNILAG will play its next game against Team Unijos on Tuesday, Sept. 24. (NAN)
