Varsity Cup 2024, the maiden edition of Nigeria’s first annual university football competition for men and women kicked off in spectacular style with two electrifying matches hosted in the beautiful main bowl of the University of Benin Sports Centre.
The competition began with the hosts, University of Benin (UNIBEN) Men’s Team losing 1-3 to Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Men’s Team, with Benjamin Enadeghe Amanyanvbo of OAU winning the coveted Moniepoint Star of the Match award that comes with a whopping sum of N100,000 – one of the highest individual prizes ever in Nigeria’s collegiate sports.
Goals from OAU’s Kehinde Akinremi, Samson Bolarinde and Benjamin Amayanvbo were enough to see the visitors register an emphatic over the hosts, with UNIBEN’s Uyiosa Osadiaye lone goal proving not to be enough.
In the second match of the series, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) Men’s Team proved their superiority with a 2-1 victory over Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) Men’s Team.
Toluwa Ajayi of AAUA’s 22nd minute goal could not contain the ravishing brace by Onyedikachi Raluchukwu of UNN, who was crowned the undisputed Star of the Match, winning Moniepoint’s N100,000 cash prize for a spectacular performance.
“Today’s matches were a very huge success. With the quality of organization off the field and play level on the field, Varsity Cup is truly delivering as promised.” Professor M.G Yakasi, Technical Chairman at the Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA).
The matches continue today at the UNIBEN Mainbowl with UNIBEN squaring off against UNN for a lifeline in the competition, while OAU tackles AAUA to confirm their place in the Semi Finals.
Varsity Cup Men’s Football 2024 will run for 5 weeks until November 13, 2024 while the Women’s Football competition has been confirmed to hold next year. It is sponsored by Moniepoint.
