SEALS Cup 2023: Meet The AVMS Stars!

 

The SEALS Cup 2023 has all but started, with the kick-off match slated for Friday, 29th of September, 2023. Former winners, Geography, will be taking on Petroleum Engineering by 4pm, and we will be there for the fun, banter, and action.

But our beloved AVMS team will not play until Wednesday when they take on Forestry at the SUB football pitch by 1:30 p.m. We at the AVMS Editorial Board have picked some players to watch out for in the AVMS football team as we warm up to support them throughout the tournament. These players have starred for their individual classes in one Cup or the other, and we expect nothing less than the class and quality we know them for in this edition of the SEALS Cup. 

No more small talk! Here they come!

1. Ridwan Osungbade (Orodin)

A match from the DVM II goalie will convince you he was born to guard the goal. Standing at about 6'1", he boasts the athleticism and positional awareness required for the standard goalkeeper. But more than that is the passion Orodin brings into his game.

From his past games, Ridwan always shows a certain readiness to go to great lengths to make remarkable saves that keep his team in the game. More than once, he has been the saving grace for his class, exhibiting commendable skills to keep even the most difficult shots out of the post. 

For all his efforts, Orodin has the golden CBN Cup and Survival Cup medals, as he helped his team to top success in both tournaments. It is without doubt that all eyes will be on the starlet goalkeeper for his input in this year's SEALS Cup.

2. Seyi Olofinlade (Hessy)

From the DVM V class, we have a striker presence to rival the intense defense in the SEALS Cup. Hessy is famous in AVMS for his exploits in the central forward position for his class. Although his prowess in front of goal could be influenced by form, his class as a team player is never in doubt.

Hessy won the Dean’s Cup in 400 level with his class, and although they succumbed to their top rivals last session, he emerged as the highest goal scorer in the tournament. With quality like that, we will definitely be on the lookout for Hessy this timeout.

3. Kolade Aribisala (CK)

Famous for his versatility on the pitch, Kolade is another well-known figure in AVMS sports. He is from the storied DVM V class too, and features as a box-to-box midfielder for his team on most occasions. However, unlike most midfielders, it is not unusual to find CK working the flanks and dribbling in to find his striker in pockets of space.

Kolade’s contributions to his class’s success in the past sessions have been immense, and we hope to see him translate his rare attributes to the AVMS team’s outing in the SEALS Cup this year.

4. Dara Akinsanya

Finally, a defender makes the list! It is quite easy to miss out on a center-back’s contributions during a match, and as a result, they are often overlooked. But not Dara. When he’s on the pitch, he makes his presence felt by every striker. From deadly but spot-on sliding tackles to no-nonsense clearance, Dara is the kind of central defender you want in your team for many reasons. 

Dara’s ‘Sergio Ramos’ reputation makes him a terror for most strikers, and we will be looking forward to more of such ruthlessness in the SEALS Cup. Also, apart from his defensive abilities, Dara is a good ball player and will be essential to maintaining a balanced defensive outlook.

5. Chibuzor Obiechefu (Chi Boy)

Here we have yet another DVM V player to look forward to on the pitch. Chibuzor packs a complete playmaker’s skillset, minus the goal consciousness of attacking midfielders like Kevin De Bryune and Jamal Musiala. But he overcompensates for that with his range of passing, which is in a class of its own. 

Spotting open chances and picking out forward runs are some of Chibuzor’s top qualities, as well as his trademark ability to carve out spaces in the midfield, thanks to his quick feet. There is a price for that as well, as Chibuzor is quite prone to injuries. But he will have his teammates for support, and we hope he will be available for selection throughout the tournament.

Among the players to look out for are Isaac Bello, Tofunmi Onipede, Teslim Olubiro, and Quyum Tolase, and we will be eagerly anticipating their contributions to the team’s success in the SEALS Cup this year.

The first fixture for the AVMS team will be on Wednesday, 4th of October, 2023, at the SUB pitch by 1.30 p.m. Be there to cheer them and terrorize the opposition!