From Underdogs to Kings: A Closer Look at AFAS Dean’s Cup Favorite

Mahbubat Salahudeen

The UI bloated football season may be winding down, but the final act promises an exhilarating finish. As students gear up for Christmas festivities, there are still some exhilarating moments of football to hold on for.

Having gone a whole semester devoid of football fervour, nor the leadership of a Sport Director, hope now lies ahead for students- players and spectators- at the premiere faculty. Following his swearing-in after the by-election as the Sports Director of the Faculty of Arts, Folarin Emmanuel Obatomiwa wasted no time in affirming that the AFAS Dean’s Cup was going to hold, much to the delight of fans and players alike.

By all metrics, the Dean’s Cup stands as the pinnacle of football competition at the University of Ibadan. Doubt had earlier been cast over the feasibility of the tournament being held in the faculty this session, following a semester-long absence of a Sport Director — an issue which stemmed from the delay by the Faculty Legislative Council in scheduling a by-election.

Looking at the bigger picture though, while there is yet to be an official release of the timeline of the tournament,which team is perfectly placed to surmount a serious trophy challenge? AFAS Press takes a look at some of the teams set to compete in the tournament based on past results, pedigree, and quality…

COMMUNICATION AND LANGUAGE ARTS

With the tournament set to rekindle the football spirit, several teams are preparing to make their mark. Among them is CLA, a team that has consistently flirted with success but struggled to secure silverware.

CLA is not the most popular team in AFAS, certainly because they do not possess some of the top names in campus topflight. While they are yet to secure a trophy since head coach Oluwapelumi King where the female team won the AFAS Dean’s Cup in 2021, they seem to have built a reputation for coming so close in every tournament, only to fall short at some point. Their journey to the semifinals in the last Dean’s Cup and their subsequent qualification for the Super 4 Cup is proof of their consistency. In the previous edition of the Super 4, both male and female teams coincidentally suffered similar fates, losing to Anthropology and Archeology in the finals. While the female team still possesses a little bit of spark the males team’s lack of a lethal number 9 has been a talking point for so long now that it has actually become something of a cliche and it has been undeniably frustrating witnessing a recurring profligacy in terms of silverware.

As yearly underdogs, the team still has some of its seasoned stalwarts anchoring the squad including the likes of Iremide as well as the introduction of newcomers like Kante — rumored to have caught the attention of the UI football team. With a mix of seasoned players and promising talent, CLA may just have the ingredients to shake up the tournament – but only if they can find consistency in the final third.

HISTORY

Football is a strange sport. Not long ago about 20 years to be exact. Barcelona were at the top world football. Manchester United and Chelsea regularly contested for UCL glory . While names like Manchester City and PSG were small clubs etched away in the shadows of bigger clubs. Not long ago, History was a team often overlooked in the Faculty of Arts. Fast forward three years, and they’ve emerged as genuine contenders, proving their mettle with solid performances in recent tournaments. Although their story has not been one of trophies and medals but there have been certain changes which have not gone unnoticed. Last season, they made headlines by winning all three of their group-stage matches in the Seals Cup — a first in their history — before coming tantalizingly close to silverware in the Dean’s Cup semifinals but they suffered a crunching 3-0 defeat to Philosophy in the Semis. But they did get a consolation worthy of their performance when they defeated CLA in the third place playoff.

History’s meteoric rise has been spearheaded by the arrival of stars including Adekunle Azeez (Thiago), Anthony, Kreed, and Marko who have added flair and experience to the squad. The team has also expanded its roster with the addition of some excellent youngsters including Femi and Luis and will be hoping to make it far in their title run.

ARCHEOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY

Archaeology and Anthropology have quietly established themselves as one of the most consistent teams in the Faculty of Arts. Their penalty shootout victory over Theatre Arts in the 2023 Super 4 final is a testament of their composure under pressure and knack for delivering when it matters most.

The team’s backbone is its star trio: Richard, a midfield maestro with a keen eye for killer passes; Samuel, a clinical forward with a knack for big moments; and Soso, a formidable shot-stopper who has saved the team on countless occasions. With their depth of talent and a history of punching above their weight, they’re a side no one can afford to underestimate

PHILOSOPHY

Philosophy’s dominance in the Dean’s Cup has been unparalleled. With seven titles in eight years, the team has cemented their place as a formidable powerhouse in Campus football. The team has had quite a number of excellent performances but their most impressive run was last season where they swept every team they encountered aside in their run towards securing the Dean’s Cup, the Super4Cup, and the UISU Super Cup to complete a title winning season.

However, they haven’t been without their issues this session. The departure of key players — Awolowo and Iyanu — has been a predictably heavy blow, and their inability to qualify for the Seals Cup or defend their Super Cup title has raised questions about their form.

That said, setbacks are of course inevitable in football and even top teams suffer a few blips when key players leave. But they still boast an enviable roster, with John (Papi) Adewas, Tobi and Justice. Their ability to withhold possession and dominate the field of play puts them at an advantage. Should they recapture their rhythm, a return to the Dean’s Cup final is well within their grasp.