The year 2025 kicked off with pump and glamour at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital Sports Complex for the final of the 8th UBTH Inter-Professional Veterans Football Championship with NASST Wheelers stealing the show.
The UBTH mini-stadium was filled to the brim with massive supporters of both the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport (NASST Wheelers) and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital All-Star FC.
The buzz and excitement was palpable. The event also drew dignitaries, including the Chief Medical Officer UBTH Prof. Darlington Obaseki, Edo State FA Chairman, Mr. Fred Newton and Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport, Major General N.D Shagaya who performed the ceremonial kick.
In a rematch of the 2021 final, where NASST Wheelers secured a victory, the two finalists, Wheelers FC and UBTH FC, had shown impressive form and resilience throughout the tournament, making it a clash of giants.
Wheelers FC’s Omo Johnson, who was impressive in the semi-finals with a goal and an assist, gave the first kick.
The game kicked off to a thrilling start, with Wheelers FC already creating scoring opportunities. However, it was UBTH FC who got the first goal in the 3rd-minute courtesy of Emmanuel Owobu’s clinical finish.
The goal led to a protest by the Wheelers FC players, but after consulting VAR, the referee awarded the goal. As the game intensified, Musa Nwangwa of UBTH received the first yellow card for dissent, while Yakubu Mohammed of Wheelers was also booked for knocking down Musa Nwangwa, who was down briefly.
Despite the doggedness of UBTH’s defence, Wheelers FC continued their pattern and stringing passes together to create a scoring chance. Their efforts eventually paid off in the 40+5 minute, when Ariri Francis equalised through a corner taken by Ayodeji Mayowa, which sent the supporters wild in celebration.
The second half began with UBTH defenders making some sloppy passes that nearly cost them. However, Wheelers FC faced major setbacks when Yusuf Oluwole received a second yellow card, resulting in a red card and reducing his team to 10 men, and their goal scorer, who had been attended to by the medical team, was stretched off the pitch.
Despite this, Wheelers FC made three substitutions and looked even stronger, getting more possession and connecting passes.
It was a very cagey affair, but in the 85th minute, Wheelers FC took the lead with Bamidele Paul moving past the defence line of UBTH FC and scoring a beautiful goal to take the lead to 2-1. Seven minutes of additional time was added, and UBTH frantically searched for an equalizer, but it wasn’t meant to be as a controversial handball incident sparked a debate among the fans and protest among the UBTH FC players, after a quick VAR check, the referee ruled that it wasn’t a penalty.
As the final whistle blew, NASST Wheelers FC celebrated their hard-fought 2-1 victory while UBTH FC were left to rue their chances.
Immediately after the game, the stage was set for the award ceremony. The Golden Glove Award, which came with a cash prize of 50 thousand Naira, went to Emmanuel Okocha( UBTH FC) while Edah Stephen ( Wheelers FC) was crowned with Most Valuable Player of the Tournament award with a cash prize of 50 thousand Naira.
Other awards include Coach of the Tournament – Babatunde Ayo Isaac (Wheelers FC)
The Fair Play ward went to SWAN FC for their hard work and show of sportsmanship. The tournament prizes are as follows:
Champions Wheelers FC took home the sum of 1,000,000 Naira, Runners UBTH FC received 500 thousand Naira, and third-place winners Edo MLS received 300 thousand Naira.
