The quarter-finals of the 8th University of Benin Teaching Hospital Interprofessional/Veterans Cup kick off Monday, December 23, with an interesting lineup on the stage.
Having emerged as the best team on the group stage with maximum points, 11 goals scored, and only 3 conceded, the Bankers Football Club will match on against Panthers Football Club. Panthers emerged runners-up behind NMA FC in group A with only 5 points, scoring two goals and conceding 1.
It is the battle of the highest and the lowest scoring sides with bookmakers pushing for the “Money Men” to run over their opponents.
Prediction: Prolific in front of goal, the Bankers have this — 4-0 win.
The Nigeria Medical Association will face off with Edo Medical Laboratory Scientists in what’s tagged the “Medicine Battle”. The NMA won their group with 9 points, but they will need their firepower to overcome the youthful MLS who placed second to Bankers.
MLS has a leaky backline, something NMA would fancy exploring to book a place in the last four.
Prediction: NMA should walk over their youthful opponents with a 3-1 win.
It will battle to finish between Benin Recreation Club when they slug it out with NASST Wheelers. The Wheelers, despite emerging second in Group D, will rely on their goals scoring abilities to outplay their opponents, who have managed only three goals in three group games.
The calibre of teams they played in the group stage also placed the Wheelers over their opponents. Tuesday, December 24, will sort out the winners and losers.
Prediction: Wheelers to win 3-1.
Boxing Day is a perfect day for UNIBEN All Stars and UBTH All Stars to settle their supremacy claim over each other.
UNIBEN All-Stars were runners-up in Group C with two wins, five scored goals and four conceded — they will have their work cut out against the Group D winners. UBTH All-Stars won Group D with 7 points, but they are lacking in front of goals, managing only three goals in the group stage.
Prediction: UBTH All Stars to advance with a 2-1 win.