Matches in the qualifying rounds of the on-going Higher Institutions Football League (HiFL) organized by PACE Sports ended over the weekend with the last set of qualifiers for the Round of 16.
Kogi State University (KSU) turned out to be the surprise package toping the Zone A with nine points to push UNIMAID to the second position on seven points. In the final game between both teams, Muhammed Yahaya of KSU scored both goals for his team in the 12th and 80th minute while UNIMAID’s Kachalla Maikadir scored the only goal for his team in the 17th minute to end the game 2-1 in favour of KSU.
FUTMINNA Transformers and ABU Nobles played out a goalless draw in Zone B to finish first and second respectively. In Zone C where the teams were divided into two pots, LAUTECH and FUTA Tigers emerged the winners from each pot. Both teams finished on four points. LASU Blazers who are the host institution for the Zone failed to qualify after losing their two games.
UNIBEN Royals showed class in Zone D to end up on ten points while Adekunle Ajasin University (AAUA) joined them as the second team to automatically qualify from the zone.
In Uyo, the IAUE Minders ended their campaign on a high with a 5-0 drubbing of the FUNAI Hawks to end on seven points in second place. The UNN Lions led the zone with eight points after four matches.
Speaking on the qualifiers, the President of the Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) Prof. Stephen Hamafyelto said: “The final 16 teams are ready and as the results have shown, HiFL is full is full of surprises and our fans should get set to watch more exciting matches as great talents are emerging this season on our campuses.”
He added: “We thank all our sponsors for believing in this great dream and the participating institutions for their sportsmanship. NUGA and HiFL are fully committed to their mandate of creating sporting opportunities for students in Nigerian universities to excel even as they conveniently marry sports and academics.”
