NNPC crashes, Chevron, Shell hit semi-final

It was agony for the defending champions of the football event of the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Games, NNPC, as they crashed out of the competition after losing 2-0 yesterday to strong contenders, Chevron in their final group match played at the Legacy pitch of the National Stadium, Lagos.

Prior to the match, the two teams had equal number of points(6) from 2 wins, with NNPC having a superior goal aggregate of +8, while Chevron had a +4 aggregate. It was expected that Team NNPC would overrun their opponents, top the group and go ahead to the semi finals.

But that was not to be as the underdogs, handled by former Nigeria international, Yisa Sofoluwe defied the form books and created one of the biggest upsets of the competition so far, sending the champions home via a 2-0 victory.

In Group B, Shell had to depend on the unpredictability of Team SEPLAT to qualify for the semi finals. After going down 4-0 at half time against the much-fancied Exxon Mobil in their final group match, SEPLAT conjured rare resilience and tightened their defence in the second half conceding only one goal.

They ended the encounter 0-5. The scoreline did not favour their opponents thus denying them an automatic ticket to the semi finals. Shell with a superior goal aggregate of +8 jubilated and openly hugged their less endowed SEPLAT counterparts after the encounter.

Hope is not totally lost for Exxon Mobil as they still expect to emerge as best losers and stand a good chance to move on to the last four.

Today will be observed as rest day while the two semi final matches come up tomorrow at the same venue.