AFASites Weigh In on Teams and Stars to Watch Ahead of SEALS Cup ’25 Glory

By: AFAS Press

The Faculty of Arts teams will be eager to put behind them the disappointment of last session’s SEALS Cup, where all six male teams failed to progress beyond the group stage—a record AFASites hope to rectify in the upcoming 2025 tournament. In contrast, the female teams performed admirably, with Philosophy and Archaeology & Anthropology (Arch/Anth) facing off in the third-place match, where Philosophy clinched the bronze medal.

As anticipation builds for SEALS Cup ’25, with registered teams in both male and female categories, AFAS Press spoke with several AFASites to gather their insights on which departments they believe can best represent the faculty and which AFAS stars they are eager to see on the pitch.

Johnson Gideon, a 400-level student of Arch/Anth and coach of the department’s female team, believes the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies (AIS) has the potential to excel in this prestigious competition. “The outing last session for Faculty of Arts teams in the male category was very disappointing and unexpected. For this edition, I think Arabic and Islamic Studies is a team that can actually fly high in the Seals Cup.”

Regarding players to watch, Johnson highlighted several talents. “I’m looking forward to watching Thiago from History, Samuel (Samsticks) from Archaeology and Anthropology, Baaloo from AIS, and Ayanfe from Archaeology and Anthropology.” Thiago is notable for his midfield mastery and defensive prowess. Samuel is a good midfielder who has contributed significantly to his department’s team play. Baaloo took home the golden boot in the last edition’s AFAS Dean’s Games, and Ayanfe earned the MVP in the CBN Cup, both starring as freshers.”

On the female side, while acknowledging the impact of the female teams last session, Johnson is rooting for the Department of Classical Studies (Classics) in Seals Cup ’25. The female AFAS stars he can’t wait to watch include “Ajoke, the goalkeeper from Classics; Kemi, a midfielder in Arch/Anth; and Temitope, a phenomenal striker in English.”

Ife Fatoki, a 400-level student of European Studies, offers a different perspective. She believes that Philosophy, History, Classics, and Archaeology teams possess the qualities needed to represent the faculty in both male and female categories. “They work hard and are dedicated to winning. Their team spirit is also unmatched; whether it’s a win or a loss, it’s obvious to spectators that they put in their all.”

Kemi, a 300-level student and player from Archaeology & Anthropology, identifies two departments she believes can blaze the trail for AFAS in Seals Cup ’25. “Archaeology and Anthropology department, Arabic & Islamic Studies (AIS)—they really did well during last session’s Dean’s Cup. I would have said Philosophy too, but their star players have graduated.” The player she’s looking forward to watching on the pitch are “Baloo and Ayanfe.”

In the female category, Kemi believes that Philosophy, Archaeology & Anthropology, and Classics have what it takes to perform well in the competition. “Their girls really impressed me during the last Dean’s Cup.” The female players she can’t wait to see on the field are: “Fikayo and Esther from Philosophy department, and Faoziyah, Arch/Anth goalkeeper.”

Isedowo Olasunkanmi, History Sports Director, views SEALS Cup ’25 as a redemption tournament for the History Department, following their underwhelming performance in the last edition. “It is no surprise that History football team’s performance on the field during the SEALS Cup last session deserved more than the outcome. But still, this session is a time for redemption, and History being the team to fly the flag of AFAS is not only feasible to me but to other departments in the Faculty of Arts who know of the team’s potential.” Speaking of the stars he can’t wait to watch “Femi and Thiago in a pivot.”

Miqdad, a final-year student of Arabic and Islamic Studies (AIS), offers a different opinion. He tips AIS and Philosophy, to fly AFAS flag high in the male category of Seals Cup ’25, while Classics and Philosophy are his favorite picks for the female category. The AFAS players he’s looking forward to watching in the competition include “Baloo – AIS, Khalifah – AIS, Adewas – Philosophy, Thiago – History, Abdulafeez – AIS, and Mindset – History.”

As SEALS Cup ’25 approaches, expectations remain high within the Faculty of Arts. With renewed determination and emerging talents, AFASites look forward to a strong representation that will restore pride and elevate the faculty’s standing in the competition. All attention now turns to the teams and players poised to make a lasting impact on this year’s tournament.