30 January 2014, Lagos -The 15th edition of the Nigeria Oli and Gas Industry Games, 2014, kicked off Wednesday with preliminary football matches at the Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium, Surulere. In the first match of the day defending champions, Total battled to a thrilling 2-2 draw with Nigeria Agip Oil Company.
In what was an explosive attacking game of football, Agip scored the opener in the first half but Total got back the equaliser to end the first half 1-1.
In the second half, total pressed for the second goal but were undone by poor finishing from their strikers, who failed to find their range in what was indeed a most entertaining battle of wits.
But against the run of play, AGIP added the second goal to send shivers down the spines of the defending champions, who were rattled by the class of the goal.
As the minutes ticked away, Total appeared to have lost their composure in their bid ti get the equaliser and just when all thought that they were going to start their defence of the cup with a loss, they scored the much needed equaliser on the stroke of regulation to send their fans into frenzied celebrations.
In the second game of the day from group B, Chevron laid down the gauntlet when they thrashed Nigeria Content Development Management Board (NCDMB) 4-0.
In what was a complete one-sided affair, Chevron dictated the tone of the match as they breezed past their hapless foes with menacing goals that sent shivers down the spines of other contenders in the competition.
Matches continue today at the same venue with Nigeria Agip Oil Company tackling Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas in the first game at 8:30am, while NCDMB battles Shell in the second match billed to hold at 3pm and ExxonMobil confronts Oando in the last game at 4pm.
Organisers of the games have promised a successful event as they mark 15 years of organising the Oil Games.
– This Day