Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) endured a humiliating 7–0 defeat on Monday evening in the ongoing University of Benin Teaching Hospital inter-departmental football competition, falling to a rampant Cooperative, IHST and Nurses side at the UBTH Sports Complex.
The onslaught began as early as the fourth minute, when Eromonsele Philips fired in the opening goal to set the tone for the one-sided affair. Nurses/IHST/Cooperative’s went on to double the lead in the 20th minute, as Ohwobei found the back of the net with a fine finish. With, Kennedy Ugbodaga present, the game was well captured.
The momentum continued in the 30th minute, when Emmanuel Jack-Owobu made it 3–0, marking his goal with Diogo Jota’s signature celebration in a heartfelt tribute to the late Liverpool forward. Just before the halftime whistle, Festus Bright added a fourth, sending MLS into the break with little hope of recovery.
The second half offered no respite for MLS, as Nurses/IHST/Cooperative’s supporters grew louder with every touch of the ball. Jack-Owobu returned to the spotlight with two more goals to complete a sensational hat-trick, capping both of his strikes with Cristiano Ronaldo’s famous “Siuu” celebration.
Raji Abubakar put the final nail in the coffin in the 66th minute, sealing a seven-goal rout that sent Nurses/IHST/Cooperative’s fans into rapturous celebration. The atmosphere at the complex reached fever pitch, while disheartened MLS supporters began to exit the venue in droves, unable to bear the sight of their team’s collapse.
Photo Credit: Kennedy Ugbodaga