NAPHER SD booked their place in the semi-finals of the ongoing Dean’s Cup at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) after Aina Oluwasegun’s spectacular late free-kick secured a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Art Education Students Association (AESA).
The Human Kinetics and Health Education side, popularly known as NAPHER SD, showed resilience and determination to overturn an early setback after AESA took the lead and looked poised to advance.
Trailing by a goal, NAPHER SD intensified their attacking efforts in search of an equaliser. Their persistence paid off when Zion found the back of the net to restore parity and reignite his side’s hopes of reaching the last four.
With both teams battling fiercely for a semi-final berth, the contest remained evenly poised as the game entered its closing stages. However, Oluwasegun produced a moment of brilliance that ultimately separated the sides.
Awarded a free-kick from approximately 32 yards out, the midfielder stepped up confidently and unleashed a powerful strike that flew past the goalkeeper and into the net, sending his teammates and supporters into celebration.
The stunning goal completed NAPHER SD’s comeback and secured a place in the semi-finals, where they will face TVESA on Wednesday.
Speaking after the match, Oluwasegun credited the victory to the collective effort of the team rather than individual brilliance.
“It feels great to score the winning goal and help send my team to the semi-finals,” Oluwasegun told Sportxvibe.com.ng.
“But it’s more about teamwork and the fighting spirit of every player in the team. We have to keep that spirit going and continue taking it one game at a time.”
With momentum firmly on their side, NAPHER SD will now turn their attention to Wednesday’s semi-final clash against TVESA as they continue their pursuit of Dean’s Cup glory.