pannigeriannews 
By Gabriel Adisa
Federal Polytechnic Ayede has commenced the third edition of her Annual Rector’s Cup Football Competition for the 2025/2026 academic session, with Department of Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technology defeating Department of Science Laboratory Technology (SLT).
The opening match of the tournament, which held at the FEDPA Sports Field, ended in a goalless draw after regulation time before Electrical/Electronic Engineering Department triumphed 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the acting Rector, Engr. Dr. Temilola Morufat Adepoju, expressed appreciation to the management of the Polytechnic for its support for sports development in the institution
She also commended the Polytechnic Sports Coordinator, Mr. Bashiru Bello, for his dedication and commitment to the successful organisation of sporting activities in the institution.
The acting Rector urged all participating teams to embrace the spirit of sportsmanship, stressing that the essence of sports is participation, discipline and healthy competition rather than victory at all costs.
“I charge all the football players participating in this tournament to take it easy with one another on the pitch because, at the end of the day, only one team will emerge victorious. Let this competition be guided by fairness, discipline and mutual respect,” she said.
Adepoju officially declared the tournament open by performing the ceremonial kick-off.
The opening encounter commenced at about 3:20 p.m., with both Electrical/Electronic Engineering and Science Laboratory Technology creating several scoring opportunities in an entertaining first half that ended goalless.
The second half was equally keenly contested, but neither side could find the breakthrough, forcing the match into penalties after a 0-0 draw in regulation time.
In the ensuing shoot-out, Electrical/Electronic Engineering converted four of their spot kicks, while Science Laboratory Technology managed two, giving the former a 4-2 victory and a place in the quarter-finals.
Dignitaries at the opening ceremony included the Registrar, Mr. Akinlolu Akinpade; the Bursar, Mr. Muftau Alao; the acting Polytechnic Librarian, Mr. Dare Samuel Adeleke who later joined; Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, staff and srudents of the Polytechnic, who turned out to support the commencement of the competition.
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