Lagos STL, Kano Manarat Set Pace in Silver Cup Opening Round

Tata Alikura opened and closed scoring to spearhead Lagos STL to an emphatic 11-3 win over Ibadan Challenge as the 2017 NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament galloped off Wednesday with matches in the Silver Cup.

Kano Manarat also had a day to remember by beating Kano Nakudu 8 - 4 1/2 to also brighten their chances of qualifying to the knock-out stage of the 11-day two-phase tournament which has GTBANK as main sponsor.

Ibadan Jericho and Lagos Verdant also bagged 7 - 4 and 5 - 2 1/2 opening day wins respectively over Kano Agad and Lagos Aragon to boost their chances of progression.

Alikura, a two-goaler, scored three goals inside five minutes of the first chukka before STL patron, Seyi Tinubu (-1) increased the lead inside the final seconds of the opening Chukka. Babao Lawal (+1) halved the deficit with two quick-fire goals for the away team but Alikura scored again after he stole the ball from 70 yards to end the second chukka 5-2.

Seyi Tinubu who was making his return to competitive polo having quit bachelorhood in August, got another goal, to tighten their grip of the match.

“It was a good game; it feels good to return and have a very good game. We played well as a team and I’m looking forward to a memorable tournament,” Seyi, son of the former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu, said after the high-tempo match.

STL continued their dominance with Ibrahim Musa Dantala (+2) and Alikura scoring a couple of goals to secure an emphatic scoreline for STL, who will face Manarat in what would likely be a winner-takes-all encounter today.

In the second match of the day, Kano Manarat overturned a 1 1/2 handicap goal deficit thanks to Jamilu Umar; the +2 handicap player scoring four of his sides eight goals.

Nakudu were still in the lead up till the late part of the third chukka but Umar’s third goal took score to 4 - 3 1/2 to Manatat’s advantage and from then took control of the match which they eventually triumphed 8 - 4 1/2.

Ibadan Jericho put smiles on the faces of the Ibadan fans following a 7 - 4 victory over Kano Agad in the third match of the day as Saidu Umar ran the show which was highlighted by the five goals he bagged in the topsy turvy tie.

The Silver Cup still dominates the stage with four matches on the card for Thursday as Lagos Insight Redefini take on Ibadan Challenge while Lagos Adcom face Kano Agad. Lagos A-Plus keep a date with Lagos Leighton Kings and the tie is completed by the crucial clash between STL and Manarat.

Other sponsors of the glamorous tournament are Wapic Insurance, Chapel Hill Denham, Metro Capital, Arbico, Elektrint Nigeria Limited, Elper Oilfield Engineering, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, Southern Sun, Veuve Clicquot, Bell Oil and Gas, Old Mutual, Balmoral and Majekodunmi family.