Bells, Team CUALA excel at Covenant University @ 20 alumni novelty game

Bells University has won the Covenant University at 20 Novelty game played to commemorate the establishment of the school. Team CUALA narrowly missed out of the final to finish in the third position.
 
The event, which held at the Campos Mini Stadium, Lagos, was organised by the Covenant University Alumni Association (CUALA) with six university alumni teams in attendance. The schools are Afe Babalola University, Bells University, Covenant University (host), Landmark University, Redeemers University and University of Ibadan.

The event kicked off with three knock-out rounds.

In the first knock-out match between Redeemers University and Afe Babalola University, Redeemers won 2-1 to advance. The second knock-out match between Landmark University and the University of Ibadan ended in a 1-1 draw at full-time. UI won the penalty shoot-out 3-2.

In a local derby, a clash to determine who rules Ota between Covenant University and Bells University of Technology, also ended in a penalty round after a 1-1 draw. But the Bishop David Oyedepo boys lost 4-3 in the penalty shootout.

Both teams met again in the semifinals and the result didn’t change. Bells University beat Covenant University 1– 0 to reach the final.

In the second semifinal match, University of Ibadan beat Redeemers University 3-2 via penalties to book a final place after they played 1-1 at full time.

Covenant University beat Redeemers University 1 – 0, courtesy of another fine goal by Leroy Datuowei to win the third position, while Bells University took their fine form into the final to beat the University of Ibadan 2-1.

President of the Covenant University Alumni Association (CUALA), Kemi Onabanjo-Joseph, said the novelty match has produced the right mood to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the institution.
 
“In commemorating the 20th anniversary of our beloved alma mater, Covenant University, we thought it would be important to extend the celebration to the broader society, including other alumni communities. Football is a unifying game, despite how competitive it can get, and we decided to leverage the novelty tournament as a platform to bring communities together for value exchange. 

“The event turned out even better than we expected. All the teams brought their A-games, new friendships were formed and we are sure that the connections made yesterday will be value-adding. We are grateful to the alumni associations that accepted our invitation and look forward to an expanded tournament next year and beyond,” she said.