Chike Egbunu-Olimene’s boys fought off a late challenge from the Blazers to secure progress into the last four of the university tournament
Obafemi Awolowo University qualified for the semi-final of the Higher Institution Football League (HiFl) despite a 2-1 defeat against Lagos State University on Wednesday.
Having secured a 2-0 first-leg win in Ile-Ife, Ayotunde Faleti’s opener for Chike Egbunu-Olimene’s boys in Lagos proved crucial to render Zacchaeus Ajose and Daniel Okerefor’s efforts as mere consolation as OAU cruised into the next stage of the tournament on a 3-2 aggregate win.
LASU started the game brightly as they aimed to overturn a two-goal first-leg deficit with Akinola Lafeef coming close to scoring in the fifth minute after launching a shot toward goal but his effort was saved by goalkeeper Ebire Abiodun.
The visitors gradually grew into the game, dictating proceedings and came close to scoring in the 25th minute through Muyiwa Olaniyi. The No. 10 was played through on goal but failed to beat onrushing goalkeeper Saka Abiola.
In the 33rd minute, Olimene’s team were rewarded for their domination when Faleti broke the deadlock with a fine finish from close range.
However, eight minutes later, Ajose found the net for LASU after beating two of his markers before unleashing a ferocious shot into the top right corner.
After the restart of the second half, LASU dictated the pace and deservedly got their second goal of the match through Okerefor. The striker headed home from Benjamin Adebisi’s corner-kick in the 60th minute.
LASU continued to probe their visitors in search of goals but OAU held on to book a place into the semi-final.
OAU will square off against University of Benin in the last four of the tournament, with the first leg scheduled to take place on September 25.
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