The grand finale of the 2025 Rector’s Cup Football Competition took place on Wednesday at the school football field, drawing an energetic crowd of students, staff, and special guests, including traditional and institutional dignitaries.
The match began with an official kickoff by the Rector of the Polytechnic, Engr. Dr. Taofeek Adekunle Abdul-Hameed (FNSE), alongside the Aresa of Iresapupa, His Royal Majesty, Oba Moses Olayiwola Ajiboye III, who attended with his council of chiefs. The final ceremony was compered by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Sunday Adepoju, and witnessed by a large turnout of students and staff from various departments.
The highly anticipated final match saw Computer Engineering go head-to-head with Computer Science in a tense battle that ended 0–0 after full time, pushing the match into a dramatic penalty shootout. Computer Science took the first kick and scored, while Computer Engineering missed their opening spot kick. The second round saw both sides miss their penalties, keeping the score at 1–0. 
Computer Science converted their third penalty, and Computer Engineering followed suit, making it 2–1. In the fourth round, Computer Science missed while Computer Engineering equalized with a clean finish to make it 2–2. Both teams scored in the fifth round, bringing it to 3–3. However, in the sixth round, Computer Science missed, and Akinlara Abeebdullahi (ND II) of Computer Engineering stepped up and calmly slotted the winning penalty, crowning his team champions of the 2025 Rector’s Cup.
In his remarks, Engr. Abdul-Hameed praised the spirit of sportsmanship displayed throughout the competition. He emphasized the importance of events like the Rector’s Cup in uniting the Polytechnic community and encouraging healthy, competitive engagement among students. He also expressed deep appreciation for the presence of the Aresa of Iresapupa, noting that the visit of His Royal Majesty, Oba Moses Olayiwola Ajiboye III, added prestige and cultural honour to the event.
Oba Ajiboye, the Aresa of Iresapupa, expressed his admiration for the conduct of the tournament and the talents displayed by the young players. He commended the school management for promoting student involvement through sports and pledged continued support for youth-focused initiatives in the community.
Following the thrilling final, awards were presented to outstanding participants and teams. The Fair Play/Disciplined Player Award, presented by the Deputy Bursar, Mr. Buhari, went to Ajao Taofeek, a student from Agricultural Technology. The Highest Goal Scorer Award was handed over by Deputy Rector, Mr. Ojo, to Aboderin Samuel of SLT, who stood out with his impressive performances during the group stages. The most prestigious individual honor, Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Tournament, was presented by Oba Ajiboye to Olateju Afeez of Computer Engineering, in recognition of his leadership and impact throughout the competition.
As the 2025 Rector’s Cup came to a close, excitement and pride filled the atmosphere. Students cheered for their teams and celebrated a tournament filled with goals, passion, unity, and unforgettable moments, truly reflecting the spirit of Federal Polytechnic Ayede.
