UNILAG Clinches Last-Second Victory Over Nkumba University to Keep Qualification Hopes Alive

In a thrilling showdown, UNILAG's football team secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Nkumba University, keeping their qualification hopes alive in the FASU tournament. The match, which had fans on the edge of their seats, showcased brilliant performances from both teams, with the winning goal coming in the dying moments.

First Half

The game kicked off with a burst of energy, as both sides brought intensity from the first whistle. Just four minutes into the match, UNILAG's No. 2, Chisom Odili, stunned Nkumba with an opening goal, rocketing the ball into the top left corner of the net. The early lead caused an eruption of cheers from the home crowd as UNILAG dominated the early stages of the contest.

UNILAG continued to press hard, and moments later, Omotosho Doyinsola (18) nearly doubled the score with a powerful shot on target that narrowly missed the post. This set the tone for UNILAG's attacking mindset, but Nkumba, not to be outdone, began to push back.

At 24 minutes, Nkumba University got a golden chance to level the score from a well-executed corner kick, but their header went wide. Nkumba came close again, this time with a free kick just outside the penalty box, but the shot sailed over the bar. As the first half neared its end, UNILAG had one more opportunity, with a solid strike aimed at goal. However, the Nkumba goalkeeper made an excellent save, ensuring the first half ended 1-0 in favor of UNILAG.

Second Half

The second half of the football contest brought even more drama. Nkumba's No. 11 netted a stunning goal shortly after the restart, leveling the match and ramping up the pressure on UNILAG, who needed a win to keep their qualification hopes alive. With the score at 1-1, Nkumba began to dominate possession, pushing UNILAG deep into their own half, a stark contrast to the first half where UNILAG held the upper hand.

At the 50-minute mark, UNILAG's center forward nearly regained the lead with a spectacular bicycle kick that flew just over the bar. Despite the growing pressure, Nkumba's defense remained resilient, frustrating team UNILAG's efforts at a goal.

The tension reached its peak at 67 minutes, when UNILAG's No. 11 had a near-certain goal, with fans already celebrating in anticipation, only to see the ball miss by a whisker. Nkumba continued to challenge UNILAG with their relentless counterattacks, keeping the game on a knife's edge.

With the clock winding down and a draw looking inevitable, UNILAG found a breakthrough in the 87th minute. Isaac Olaonipekun (11) finally broke through Nkumba's defense to score the decisive goal, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. His persistence paid off, sealing a hard-fought victory and securing UNILAG's place in the qualification race for the quarterfinals.

Conclusion

The University of Lagos team came in search of redemption after suffering a defeat at the hands of the University of Developmental Studies (UDS) from Ghana in the opening match of the football tournament. Meanwhile, Nkumba University sought to keep up its winning streak after defeating the University of Jos (Nigeria) in a 2-0 victory earlier on Sunday.

As fate would have it, only team UNILAG was able to achieve its goal as the match ended 2-1 in its favor in what was a fiercely competitive and entertaining contest. However, both UNILAG and Nkumba remain in contention for the next round, making the stakes that much higher in the remaining group-stage matches.