Human Kinetics & Health Education advances to Saturday’s final at the University of Lagos after a dramatic shootout win over TVESA
With three minutes left on the clock and a penalty shootout looming, NAPHER SD’s coaching staff made a decisive call — and it changed everything.
Oyero Rasaq Ayomide, a goalkeeper for the Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education (NAPHER SD), entered the pitch from the bench just moments before what would become one of the most gripping penalty shootouts of this year’s Faculty Dean’s Cup.
A Test of Character From the First Whistle
NAPHER SD’s semi-final against TVESA — widely regarded as one of the tournament’s most formidable sides — was never going to be straightforward. The department fell behind early, going 1-0 down just minutes into the contest. But resilience, a hallmark of the NAPHER SD squad this season, brought them back level, and the match headed into a penalty shootout deadlocked at 1-1 after regulation time.
It was at that pivotal moment that head coach turned to his bench and signalled for Oyero.
“I Trusted God and Stayed Focused”
By his own admission, the young shot-stopper felt the weight of the moment immediately. “When he signalled to me that I should change, I was very nervous because I knew the outcome could depend on my performance,” Oyero recalled.
“But I trusted God and stayed focused. I knew I was going to do all it was going to take to make sure I took my department to the final.”
That focus proved match-winning. Oyero saved three of TVESA’s spot-kicks, helping NAPHER SD seal a 4-2 victory in the shootout and book their place in the final.
A Hero’s Reception
For a player who barely featured in the run-up to the shootout, the outpouring of praise from teammates and supporters hit differently. “The most important part of it all was the feeling of receiving praises from my teammates, our supporters, and my fellow students,” he said. “This was very special for me and I’m so grateful to have played a key role in this.”
Eyes on the Final
NAPHER SD will now face their opponents in the Dean Cup Final tomorrow, Saturday, at the University of Lagos — and Oyero is already channelling the momentum. “Our focus is on finishing the job in the final,” he said with quiet confidence. “We are going to get the job done during normal time — it’s not going to go to penalties again.”