JAYJAY SNATCHES LATE WINNER

Deputy Provost of The Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Jide Johnson.

 A 90 minutes JayJay, lob over on rushing goal keeper gives Lecturers 3-2 victory

Students, lecturers, family members, friends and well-wishers majorly dressed in black converged on the football pitch of the Nigerian Institute to celebrate, in a sporting manner, the demise of a sport-loving lecturer and father of three, Mr chris Ogochukwu Ogbodo.

The tribute match, which was played on Friday, April 17, was part of the programmes slated by the management of the school to honour the late pedagogue who reportedly slumped and died on Friday, march 13, at his home in Ikotun, Lagos.

The provost of the institution, Mr Gbemiga Ogunleye took time to have a warm handshake with players from both teams, who had dark armbands wrapped on their arms, signifying nothing but a piece of honour to the late sports Director. A minute silence followed as the referee blasted the kick-off whistle.

The match started on a cool note as both teams engage in accurate exchanges of precise passes. But didn’t take long for the lecturers’ to open scoring

Omolola shina, however, ensured parity was restored few minutes later for the students with a sublime goal which he celebrated by rushing to the VIP box to bow before the provost.

The lecturers’ team put their noses back in front through Ayo Omotola who dribbled his way past the defence of the students before slotting past the hapless, Adekanbi Opeyemi in goal.

And with few minutes to half- time, Shina struck again to make it an equalizer, making it his second to even the score at half-time.

The second-half also commenced in a steady manner with the players tossing the ball from one end to the other, but a late strike from the Head of Department, Mass communication and Deputy provost, Jide Johnson proved enough to decide a thrilling encounter.

The team had a nice build up to the goal as a through-ball was launched into the area, JJ, as he is fondly called, met with the ball and lobbed it over the rushing goalkeeper, sparking a scene of jubilation among the lecturers at the sideline as the match ended with the final whistle.

Speaking shortly after the match, Jide Johnson dedicated his goal to the late lecturer, describing him as a hard working man.

“we are here to celebrate Chris today. I am dedicating my winning goal to him. He was a hard-working and fantastic man. I pray his soul rest in perfect peace”, he said.

The crowd then headed to the hall where a tribute night and candle-light procession was held.