Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-02-04 03:22:20
The Lagos Polo Club was the place to be on Friday as spectators were treated to an intense and thrilling game between the Art Hotel-Shoreline team and Abuja Rubicon. The stakes were high as the two teams battled it out for the Italian Ambassadors Cup at the ongoing 2024 Lagos International Polo Tournament. In the end, it was the Lagos Art Hotel-Shoreline team that emerged victorious with a 13-10 win over Abuja Rubicon.
The game took place at the renowned Ribadu Road Polo Ground in Ikoyi, which has been hosting a four-week extravaganza of polo matches. The Lagos side, featuring players Bashir Dantata and Tunde Karim, along with Chris Mackenzie and Manuel Crespo, took the lead early on in the game and held onto it until the final whistle. Makenzie scored the 13th goal for the Lagos team in the last chukka, securing their victory over a formidable opponent in Rubicon.
The Italian Ambassador’s Cup win for Art Hotel-Shoreline was just the beginning of the high-stakes second week of the 2024 GCTO Lagos Polo Tournament. This triumph puts them ahead in terms of goals as they prepare for the winner-takes-all Majekodunmi Cup final. Speaking after the game, Dantata acknowledged the tough competition posed by Rubicon and praised their determination and commitment. He also thanked their supporters for standing by them and cheering them on to victory.
The first week of the 120th NPA/GTCO Lagos International Polo Tournament also saw other exciting matches and winners. Lagos Trojan Ark emerged as the champions of the Chapelhill Dandem Open Cup with a closely fought 9-8 victory over Lagos STL. STL, on the other hand, claimed the title of champions in the Oba of Lagos Cup. Additionally, the Dapo Ojora Memorial Cup was won by the visiting Kaduna Sublime/Dangote team after scoring a golden goal to secure a surprising upset over Lagos Leighton Kings.
As the tournament progresses, the third week will feature 16 teams from major polo centers across the country competing for the Low Cup from February 6 to 11, 2024. The final week will see 14 evenly matched low-goal teams vying for the Silver Cup from February 13 to 18, 2024. The 2024 Lagos International Polo Tournament promises to be a fitting and grand event, showcasing some of the best polo talent the continent has to offer. With intense matches, surprising upsets, and thrilling victories, the tournament is set to continue delighting spectators and polo enthusiasts alike.
