The UI Football Fever: A Semester of Rivalries, Goals, and Rising Stars (I)

Mahbubat Kanyinsola Salahudeen

For a start, University of Ibadan second semester is one characterized by a series of activities, and sports is not left out. Speaking of sports, the UI football fever is sweeping in once again, featuring mesmerizing scenes, iconic moments, and breathtaking goals from some of the most formidable teams on campus. While football players – male and female – are gearing up for the start of the tournaments, football fans from across departments, faculties, and halls of residence will be looking to see some of their favourite teams and players in action. Beyond the pulsating rivalries of teams, and fans buzzing with unparalleled anticipation, there is also always  the question of who the next rising talent will be.

From freshers eager to make their mark, to established players seeking redemption, this semester’s football tournaments promise a spectacle of grit, glory, and unforgettable moments. So, what are some of the tournaments to look out for?

THE CBN CUP

The CBN Cup is an annual football tournament exclusively for one hundred level students who take lectures at the cbn lecture theater in the Faculty of Science including students from the said faculty, alongside students from the Faculties of Technology, Agriculture, Renewable Natural Resources and Law. The tournament, which serves as a starting ground for new football prospects, also serves as a platform for discovering new talents that could strengthen departmental and faculty teams. Also, the defending champions from the Faculty of Technology, Wood and Biomaterials Engineering will be looking to defend their title having defeated the Department of Chemistry in the last edition. 

THE DEAN’S CUP 

Perhaps the biggest football event in the university of Ibadan in terms of the number of matches of played. With the faculty of Pharmacy having kicked off their edition of the tournament on Friday, the Dean’s Cup is a football tournament that takes place between departments across every faculty on campus, comprising both male and female categories. However, it remains to be seen whether there will be a tournament at the Faculty of Arts this semester as (the faculty has been without a sports secretary since the start of the session.) 

THE UISU SUPER CUP

Modelled after the FIFA Club World Cup, the UISU Super Cup is a sequel of the annual Dean’s Cup tournament where winners of the Dean’s Cup from each of the fourteen faculties shall square off against each other in one-legged knockout encounter. The tournament was introduced by the former UISU Sports Secretary, Moses Etana, in the 2021/22 academic session, but fans can anticipate a second edition under the leadership of the current sports secretary, Adeshina David, otherwise known as Oscar. 

UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN STUDENT UNION INTER-HALL CUP

A biennial event, overtime, the competition has witnessed participation from the twelve halls of residence across fourteen sporting events including football, table tennis, chess, scrabble, and basketball. However, the football event is arguably the spotlight of the tournament. Many will recall the hearty or painful moments (depending on the side of the team you are on) from the most recent edition of the competition.

The most recent edition of the competition saw dramatic moments, particularly the banter and rivalry between Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall and Independence Hall – two of UI’s football powerhouse. With Zik Hall suffering an early elimination via penalties, many had expected Independence Hall to seize the opportunity. However, the Katangites endured a painful 3-0 defeat in the final against Abdulsalam Abubakar Hall.

Will independence hall finally redeem themselves this time and put an end to the never ending mockery at the hands of the rivals, or will it be another story of loss and angish?

SIGMA CHIEF CUP

As the name implies, the Sigma Chief Cup is an annual event organized by the Sigma Club in the University of Ibadan. In a WhatsApp conversation with the chairman of the Sigma Chief League  committee, Loyalist Afolabi Gideon, a final year student of the Department of Religious Studies, the tournament aims to “unite the students of the university and create a platform where students get to network as each team must comprise students from four different faculties”.

The Sigma Chief Cup is open to both male and female players, and unlike every other football event on campus, participants are allowed the privilege to select their teammates. The chairman further stressed that while the competition is open to all registered students of the institution – both undergraduates and postgraduate students – students from the Distance Learning Center are not allowed to participate.

The first edition of the tournament was held in 2023 during the 2021/22 academic session. While the male category was a five-a-side tournament featuring sixteen teams, the female category was more of an inter-hall tournament comprising teams from Alexander Brown Hall, Queen Elizabeth II Hall, Queen Idia Hall, and Obafemi Awolowo Hall.

The second edition transitioned from the initial five-a-side version to a full-field experience, but while male teams still had the prerogative of selecting their teammates, the female category became an inter-departmental football competition. This third edition, which kicks off on Monday, November 18th, 2024, retains the structure of selecting teammates, with sixteen male teams and twelve female teams. Matches for the tournament will be played at the Old SUB pitch.

The second semester promises an exhilarating football season at the University of Ibadan, with institutional tournaments showcasing breathtaking talent and fierce rivalries. Beyond these, halls of residence are not left out. Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall will continue the second half of the Zik Hall League, which began in July, while Independence Hall is set to hold its second edition of the Indy Inter-Fans League. As the semester unfolds, football lovers can expect thrilling encounters, unforgettable moments, and the discovery of future stars across the various tournaments.

As these tournaments kick-off, it is clear that UI’s football culture is thriving, but one cannot help but wonder: What lessons can be learned from past tournaments, and what innovative ideas could shape the future of football on campus?