OAU, UNN record victories as Varsity Cup 2024 begins

The maiden edition of Nigeria’s first yearly university football competition for men and women, the Varsity Cup 2024, kicked off yesterday, with two matches hosted at the 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 sum of N100,000. This is 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 victory over the hosts. A lone goal by UNIBEN’s Uyiosa Osadiaye proved not enough.

In the second match, the 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 Star of the Match, winning Moniepoint’s N100,000 cash prize for a spectacular performance.

Technical Chairman at the Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA), Prof. M.G Yakasi, said: “Today’s matches were a very huge success. With the quality of organisation off the field and play, Varsity Cup is truly delivering as promised.”

The matches continue today at the same venue with UNIBEN facing UNN for a lifeline in the competition, while OAU tackles AAUA to confirm their place in the semifinals.

Varsity Cup Men’s Football 2024 will run for five weeks till November 13, 2024, while the Women’s Football competition has been confirmed to be held next year.