How Aina Oluwasegun led NAPHER SD to the Dean’s Cup final

When the pressure was at its highest, NAPHER SD had a man they could count on. Twice in the knockout rounds of the ongoing Dean’s Cup at the University of Lagos, Aina Oluwasegun stepped up and delivered, and on both occasions she did not disappoint.

The Human Kinetics and Health Education (NAPHER SD) forward has become the unlikely hero of the tournament, scoring the decisive goal in the quarter-finals before repeating the feat in a tense and exciting semi-final against TVESA, the reigning champions, to bring his team one step closer to glory.

Killing the champions

The semi-final was never going to be a simple affair. TVESA, the defending Dean Cup champions, came to the field as the team to beat: technically gifted, battle-hardened and hungry to defend their crown. They made it clear from the start, breaking the deadlock and threatening to end NAPHER SD’s run at the penultimate hurdle.

But then came Oluwasegun.

With his team on the verge of elimination, the striker stepped up to equalize, restore parity and rekindle faith in the NAPHER SD camp. The goal forced the match into a penalty shootout, where the goalkeeper’s heroics (three saves) ultimately took NAPHER SD to the final.

It was the second time in as many knockout rounds that Oluwasegun was the man who changed the course of the match. His goal in the quarterfinals also proved decisive, and his goal in the semifinals took his tournament tally to two goals in the knockout stages, both in the most critical moments.

A really tall mountain

talking to Sportxvibe.com.ng, after the semi-final victory, a relieved but composed Oluwasegun reflected on the magnitude of the result.

“I’m very happy that we defeated the defending champions because it was a really tough test for us,” he said. “We had to climb a very high mountain to get to the final because they were really good. They were a very good team. They had more technical players.”

But Oluwasegun was quick to point beyond individual quality and attributed the decisive factor to the collective mentality of the team.

“I think it all came down to the mentality of the players. It all came down to the psychological part of the players. We had to suffer more. We had to defend more. We had to work for each other. We had to be more compact. We had to trust each other and run more for each other.”

It was, he insisted, a match that demanded everything from both sides, and one that NAPHER SD was simply not willing to lose.

A man who demands more of himself

For Oluwasegun, goals represent more than just moments of victory. They are the product of a personal challenge: a conscious effort to add edge to his game after hearing from those around him that he had the ability to score more.

“I’ve been very inflexible with myself – shooting more – because I heard people telling me that I have the potential to score more goals and that I should try to shoot more,” he admitted. “I’m tired of having that in my game and I’m happy that it’s starting to be productive.”

There is a quiet determination in his words: a player who has accepted criticism, internalized it and turned it into fuel. And it’s clearly working.

“I’m happy to be able to help the team get to penalties again. Of course, our goalkeeper did the rest. He saved us three penalties and took us to the final.”

Eyes on the prize

With a place in the Dean’s Cup final secured, Oluwasegun is already looking to the future and his message to his teammates is simple: more of the same.

“Coming to the final, I expect the same psychological toughness from our side. I expect the same mental toughness and the same fight that we have been giving in all the games we have played. Play for each other, work for each other, run for each other and work as a team.”

Regarding his preparation, the forward has no doubts.

“I’m also prepared for it mentally and physically. I feel good. I feel fit. Hopefully we will do the job and become the new Dean’s Cup champions.”