By Oluwademilade Ogunleye
The final match of the Seals Cup Round of 16 took place at the old SUB Pitch on Thursday 12th of June 2025 between Agricultural Engineering and Petroleum Engineering. The Tech affair had everything including early drama, controversial referee decisions and a penalty heartbreak. Petroleum Engineering however booked their place in the quarterfinals defeating AEE 8-7 on penalties, following a 1-1 draw in regular time.
The match had AEE donning an all white outfit with Petroleum Engineering in their familiar all blue outfit. The game was kicked off by Petroleum Engineering who came with an early intent, scoring three minutes into the game through Joel, who capitalized on a deflection inside the box to hand his side the lead. The goal set the tone for an energetic half, with both teams refusing to sit back.
Agricultural Engineering responded with urgency after going 1-0 down, launching their own attacks almost immediately. A free flowing passage of play in the 5th minute saw them come close, only to be flagged offside. AEE won a corner two minutes later, but Petroleum Engineering’s midfielders remained alert, intercepting the ball to keep the danger at bay.
Petroleum Engineering nearly doubled their lead in the 15th minute after a scuffle in the AEE box led to a penalty call which the referee waved away. AEE’s attack through Neymar and Bolaji showed flashes of brilliance with Ehiz forcing a save in the 19th minute and narrowly missing Petroleum nearly doubled their lead in the 15th minute after a scuffle in the Agric box sparked penalty appeals, which the referee waved away. Agric Engineering’s attacking trio, including Neymar and Bolaji, showed flashes of brilliance, with Ehiz forcing a save in the 19th minute and narrowly missing again from a well-placed freekick at the edge of the box in the 25th.
Despite waves of pressure and several set-piece opportunities for both sides, the first half ended 1-0 in favour of Petroleum Engineering.Second Half: Persistence Pays Off for Agric Agric Engineering resumed the second half with greater urgency, pressing higher and creating more chances. Their most promising opportunity came in the 6th minute when Ehiz found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper but hesitated, allowing Petroleum’s keeper to smother the ball.
Petroleum nearly punished that missed chance, striking the crossbar from a freekick shortly after. Still, Agric Engineering’s persistence eventually paid off in the 22nd minute. A perfectly timed ball from midfield found Bolaji on the right wing, and this time, the forward made no mistake — calmly slotting the ball into the net to make it 1-1.
The goal lifted Agric’s momentum, and they continued to pile on pressure with a flurry of freekicks and half-chances. Despite Petroleum’s attempts to regain the lead through quick counters and set-pieces, neither side could find a breakthrough in the dying moments.
Penalty Drama Decides It With the game ending in a 1-1 draw, the winner had to be decided from the spot. Both teams showed nerves of steel, scoring each of their first seven penalties. The turning point came in the eighth round when Agric Engineering’s Victor missed his effort, giving Petroleum’s Joel — the regulation time goalscorer — the opportunity to seal the win. He converted with composure, sending Petroleum Engineering into the next round.
It was a battle defined by intensity, tactical grit, and fine margins. Agric Engineering showed great character to come from behind, but ultimately, it was Petroleum Engineering’s early precision and composure in the shootout that made the difference. As they move on to the quarter-finals, Petroleum will be wary of the stiff competition ahead — but buoyed by the resilience and discipline they displayed in this hard-fought win.
