The Higher National Diploma (HND) 2 women’s team of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) pipped their National Diploma (ND) 1 counterparts 3-1 in the monotechnic’s 2023/2024 Students’ League on Wednesday.
The game went down in the school field, with both teams, HND 2 (Avonda Babes) and ND 1 (NIJ All Stars) struggling to take control of the clash.
A penalty was conceded by ND 1 defender, when she held the ball with her hand in the box – and the referee signalled for a penalty.
Falade Opeyemi Elizabeth stepped forward to take the spot-kick and she converted it to put HND 1 ahead.
Not so much happened afterwards as the game didn’t witness another goal, thus the game finished 1-0 in the first-half.
HND 2 commenced the second period oozing a lot of confidence and it yielded fruit when Anu Odeyemi doubled the lead.
However, Nwokoro Chelsea swung in a breathtaking free-kick, thereby putting the ball past Aliu Marvellous to make the scoreline 2-1.
The Avonda Babes further increased their lead when Elizabeth, who was well-positioned found the back of the net through a loosed ball from a free-kick for her second (brace) and HND 2’s third.
HND 2 kept it tight at the back following their third goal and they eventually claimed a 3-1 victory over the new-intakes.
Speaking to the TheLensNG in a post-match interview, Elizabeth said that she has been looking forward to the game, adding that she was excited to be on the scoresheet.
“I am very happy that we won. I’ve been anticipating this game for a while and I’m glad I was able to score two goals. We are winning the trophy.”
Meanwhile, it was a mixed feeling for the ND 1 scorer, Chelsea, owing to the defeat.
“I scored a goal but I’m not happy because my goal wasn’t enough to get us a point but we will do better in subsequent games,” she disclosed.
Other games were played, this time, it was between the men’s team; Post Graduate (PGD) played against HND 2 – and HND 1 faced ND 2.
At the end of proceedings, HND 2 held PGD to a 2-2 draw. Owoeye Olawande netted twice for PGD, while Olaoluwa AbdulAzeez assisted by Daniel Udoka; and Udoka (a late sumptuous equaliser) feeding off AbdulAzeez struck for the final year students.
The game between HND 1 and ND 2 ended in a stalemate as both sides shared a point.
