AAUA Luminaries join UNN Lions, UNIMAID Desert Warriors in HiFL semifinals

University of Nigeria (UNN) Lions at the weekend defeated UNIBEN Royals to qualify for the semifinals of the Higher Institution Football League (HiFL). The UNN Lions qualified on a 2-1 goals aggregate as they lost 1-0 to the Royals in the reverse fixture of their tie. The Lions won their home game 2-0 at Nsukka.

Odor Daniel scored the only goal for the Royals in the 42nd minute through a penalty kick. Further attempts by the Royals to score the second goal that would have pushed the game into an extra time were frustrated by a determined Lions defence led by Emeka Alex.

UNIBEN Royals defeated defending champions, UNICAL Malabites, when both teams clashed at the quarterfinal stage.

Also in the semifinals are University of Maiduguri Desert Warriors, who defeated 2018 champions, University of Agriculture, Makurdi (UAM) Tillers in the quarterfinals.

In the second leg of their tie held at the University of Maiduguri Sports Complex, the Coach Dauda Daniel-led Warriors defeated UAM Tillers 3-0 to qualify for the semifinals on 3-1 goals aggregate.

Stanbic Man-of-the-Match, Usman Sani, opened scores in the 16th minute before Sulieman Ali Salah added the second in the 41st minute. In the second half, the Tillers went in search of the one goal needed to oust their host on the away goals rule but their hope was ruined in the 88th minute when Oche Francis scored the third goal for the Desert Warriors.

In Akungba, AAUA Luminaries needed a penalty kick scored by Abiodun Ogundeji in the 100th minute of the extra-time to qualify for the semifinals of the HiFL.

Speaking on the quarterfinals, Chief Strategy Officer at Pace Sports and Entertainment Marketing, Goodness Onyejiaku, said, “With the display of these young people, the future of football and indeed the Nigerian sports scene is bright.

“We appreciate our partners including NUGA, StanbicIBTC, Nivea Men, Bold and Minimie for making it possible for us to keep exposing these talents weekly. The fact that we are going to have a brand new winner of the competition this year makes it more interesting and we are all looking forward to the Super Four clash soon.”