Seyi Tinubu Dazzles At Lagos International Polo Tourney As Dangote Clinch Ojora Cup, Almat In Open Final

Lagos Dangote clinched the maiden Dapo Ojora Memorial Cup with a 10 – 5 win over Malcomines of Jos as the first week of the NPA/GTCO Lagos International Polo Tournament reached its business end. 

The newly-introduced cup marked the first of the six subsidiary titles at stake at the tournament which runs through the end of the month. 

Both sides headed into the match having lost their opening ties and it was Mohammed Dangote who opened the score with a low drive to give the Lagos side the lead but Argentine Andre Crespo levelled scores barely a minute later with a breakaway move. 

Dangote, who also featured Adebayo Karim Dorean Bolteau and Sylvester Donovan, regained their lead through their patron going to the second chukka. 

Further goals by Frenchman Bolteau and Dangote put the home team in control but Crespo reduced the deficit to two goals for Malcomines – parading Haruna Kari, Fernando Murnoz and Bello Buba – with a brilliant individual effort for a 4-2 scoreline heading to the third chukka which ended.6-3 as Dangote and Bolteau sustained their influences on the match. 

The penultimate, as well as the last Chukkas, were hotly contested and in the end, it was the home team who celebrate a memorable victory with Donovan accounting for a couple of goals. 

In the opening match of the day, Argentine six-goaler Manuel Crespo was on fire as he spearheaded Petrogas Almat from Abuja to a narrow 6-5 win over STL of Lagos. 

The winners-take-all clash kept polo lovers on the edge of their seats till the last second as two quickfire goals by Chris Mackenzie kept STL within a touching distance to level the match but it was too little too late as time runs out for the Seyi Tinubu patroned team which also featured Yasin Amusan, Chris MacKenzie and Dirk Van Reenen. 

The Abuja team will battle for the Open Cup final on Sunday with Leighton Sao Polo as their most likely opponents. 
Sao Polo, who won their first match, are billed to confront Lagos Centaurs on Saturday. The winner of the match will receive the Oba of Lagos Cup, another subsidiary title.