UI Pioneers Sail Through to NUGA Games 2025 After 2–0 Win Over LAUTECH

By: Joshua Oyetoro

It was no easy affair for the UI Pioneers (male team) in their clash with the LAUTECH male team. Coming into this game, there was unfinished business between the two sides. As far back as 2022, UI ended LAUTECH’s NUGA Games hopes with a late 1–0 win at the Awo Stadium. This time, the LAUTECH contingent arrived in Ibadan seeking revenge on UI’s home turf.

The game began with intensity as both teams battled fiercely for the lone ticket to the NUGA Games. UI Pioneers appeared to draw first blood early on after a clever pass from Somod found Mbappe, but the flag was quickly raised for offside. LAUTECH soon settled into the game, forcing a fine save from UI’s goalkeeper, Olami, following a well-worked attacking move.

UI’s wingers were in electrifying form, consistently stretching LAUTECH’s defence and asking questions they couldn’t answer. The midfield battle was equally fierce, with UI’s trio of Heskeyman, Pamilerin, and Somod dominating the middle of the park. Their physicality and control effectively neutralized LAUTECH’s attempts to dictate play through the midfield.

In a continued search for the first goal, UI captain, Mjay, brilliantly beat his marker with trickery to find Korede, who fluffed his lines by missing a sitter, much to the bewilderment of the fans. Another goalscoring opportunity soon presented itself as a blocked shot from Somod fell kindly to Pamilerin, who wasted no time lashing onto the ball, forcing the LAUTECH keeper to tip it onto the bar for a corner. The referee soon brought an end to the first half, with the score still goalless.

The second half began with Korede failing to convert yet another chance, but UI’s hard work soon paid off. A header from Mbappe into an empty net was deliberately handled by LAUTECH’s number 13, who received a red card for the offence. UI Pioneers’ number 6, Deji, stepped up and calmly converted the resulting penalty to put UI ahead.

Korede’s poor form in front of goal continued to delay UI’s push to put the game to bed. Meanwhile, LAUTECH still held onto hope, pushing forward in search of an equaliser. With mounting pressure on UI’s defence, the referee made a controversial decision by awarding a free-kick that was handled inside the UI penalty area.

As momentum briefly shifted to the visitors, UI regained control and found their rhythm. A well-placed in-swinging cross into the box was met beautifully by a diving header from Mbappe, doubling UI’s lead and all but sealing the victory.

At full-time, the UI Pioneers were confirmed winners of the tie, securing their qualification for the NUGA Games 2025.

Delighted fans showered praise on both the male and female teams for their passion and quality on the pitch. Lukman, a 300-level student from the Agricultural and Environmental Engineering Department shared his excitement, “The UI male team have done us proud by qualifying for the NUGA Games. We can only hope for their success in the competition later this year.”

Wale, another thrilled supporter, highlighted standout performers, “Mjay and Mbappe were electric today, and we hope to see more of this from them.”

With this win, the UI male will now look to ride their current momentum and deliver a scintillating performance at the upcoming NUGA Games in Jos later this year.