JOSTUM wins 2024 varsity cup, UNILORIN, UNN get silver, bronze

Players and fans of the Joseph Sarwuan Tarkaa University, Makurdi (JOSTUM), celebrating with the Varsity Cup trophy after beating UNILORIN in the final game of the competition.

In a thrilling conclusion to the maiden edition of Varsity Cup, Joseph Sarwuan Tarkaa University, Makurdi (JOSTUM), formerly the Federal University of Makurdi, emerged as champions after defeating the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) in a dramatic 3-2 penalty shootout.

The match, held at the main bowl of the University of Benin Sports Complex, ended in a 1-1 draw in regulation time, setting the stage for an intense finale that will go down in the history of collegiate sports in Nigeria.

Three penalty-saves from JOSTUM’s star goalkeeper, Jacob Targema, not only guaranteed the coveted Varsity Cup for his team, but also cemented his place as the Player of the Tournament and Best Goalkeeper.

JOSTUM’s road to glory began in the group stage, where they showcased their dominance with victories over Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (ABU) and Prince Abubakar Audu University, Ayingba (formerly Kogi State University), alongside a hard-fought draw against eventual finalists UNILORIN.

In the semifinals, JOSTUM defeated Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (OAU) on their home turf in Makurdi, and a subsequent draw in Ile-Ife sealed their place in the final. The grand finale saw them once again face their Group B rivals, UNILORIN, in a match that tested the resilience and skill of both teams.

Speaking after the final, Olamide Adeyemo, CEO of Varsity Cup, expressed his delight at the tournament’s success.

“Our joy at Varsity Cup is not just the successful completion of this maiden edition but the proof that we can achieve this and make it sustainable every year. To our technical partners, NUGA, and our brand sponsors and partners, Moniepoint and Minimie, we are deeply grateful for your unwavering support throughout this journey.”

The thrilling final and the overall success of the Varsity Cup 2024 have reinforced its status as a premier platform for showcasing Nigeria’s brightest student-athletes. Earlier, the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) defeated Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) to win the third place game.

It’s Spain v Dutch, France v Croatia in Nations League Quarterfinals
TWO rematches of recent World Cup finals have been served up in the draw for the quarterfinals of the UEFA Nations League, reports AP.
Spain, the 2010 World Cup winners, were drawn against the Netherlands and 2018 world champions France were paired with Croatia in the two-leg quarterfinals in March.

Italy have been drawn to face Germany, while Portugal will play Denmark.The eight teams advanced to the quarters by placing first or second in the four Nations League top-tier groups that finished this week.

Games will be played on March 20 and 23, and the winners advance to a Final Four mini-tournament scheduled for June 4-8. It will be hosted by one of the teams involved.

European champions Spain are also defending the Nations League title after winning the third edition of the biennial tournament last year.

“It’s a fantastic match,” Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman said. “Both teams like to play football, and we have a big history.

“We have a great respect for them and they have a great respect for Dutch football,” added Koeman, whose goal won Barcelona their first European Cup in 1992 for a team coached by Dutch soccer icon Johan Cruyff.

France and Croatia are still coached as they were in 2018 by Didier Deschamps and Zlatko Dalic, who are now in their 13th and eighth seasons, respectively, as two of the most experienced coaches in world soccer.

France won that World Cup final 4-2 in Moscow and have met Croatia four times since in different editions of the Nations League.

“Obviously I’ve got a lot of affinity with Zlatko,” said Deschamps, who has won three of his five games against Croatia. “We’ve often had the chance to talk and he’s someone I appreciate very much.”

Dalic said of Deschamps that he was “happy to see him again. I have full respect for France.” Croatia won 1-0 at Stade de France in June 2022 with a penalty from Luka Modric, who is still captaining the team, aged 39.

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