By Nelson Dafe on August 16, 2018

University of Benin football team on Wednesday evening qualified for round two of the ongoing maiden edition of Universities league football competition courtesy of a 1-0 win over visiting University of Lagos team in the return leg of the first round tie. The first leg in Lagos had ended 1-1.

The match, which was held at the main bowl of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) Sports Complex, saw UNIBEN Royals struggling to contain the pressure mounted in the early minutes of the game by the UNILAG Marines who were hell-bent on scoring an away goal of their own.

UNIBEN has one big threat forward and he is 6-4 giant Osarenkhoe Imade who made sure the visitors had to be very wary at the back.

Midway into the first half, UNIBEN won a free kick close to the UNILAG 18-yard box and it was Imade who rose to take it, smashing a screamer into the net, leaving the UNILAG ’keeper with no chance.

UNIBEN played a very compact defensive game throughout, and it was to Imade that most of the attacking work of the hosts belonged.

The young striker, who is a registered member of grassroots club and former Edo State League champions Benin Warriors FC, rose excellently to the challenge as his pace and power caught the eyes of the about 15,000 full capacity complex.

The fans cheered every time he held the ball as they knew how dangerous he is. Imade dropped deep some times to collect the ball and sprayed beautiful cross-field passes to teammates, drawing loud cheers from fans.

There are talks of big agents and clubs moving for him, even though Benin Warriors haven’t confirmed anything yet.

In terms of the overall quality of the game itself, it was an exciting affair even if the actual quality of play wasn’t excellent. For lovers of nice and intricate passing football, the game offered very little.

Perhaps because of the nervousness deriving from the occasion, there were very few succession of passes from both sides as the ball kept bubbling around.

But the excitement that was lacking in passing fluidity was made up for by the intensity and commitment to win put up by both sides.

In the end it was UNIBEN that won the bragging rights after UNILAG had exhausted all in their armory to get back on level terms.

The UNIBEN fans dashed into the pitch and sang in delight after the match: “Marine power, powerless power.” 

•Photo shows Imade (in front) being pursued by excited teammates after he scored the only goal of the game for Uniben Royals.

Source Daily Sports

Posted August 16, 2018

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