UNILORIN, OAU win as HIFL semifinals begin

UNILORIN Warriors secured a first leg win at home against UNICAL Malabites in the first round of the semifinal matches of the 2018 Higher Institutions Football League (HiFL).. Unilorin Warriors striker, Kabir Akanbi scored the only goal in the 55th minute to put the home team in good standing for the second leg in Calabar.

At another venue in Ife, OAU Giants showed class at home against the Tillers from Makurdi, winning by five goals to three in what could be described as one of the most exciting fixtures of the tournament. Seyi James gave the giants an eighth minute lead with a superb strike before Ogbole Emmanuel equalized for the UAM Tillers in the 15th minute.

OAU Giants’ Toba James converted a penalty kick in the 40th minute before leading HiFL goal scorer, Ebuka David equalized for the visitors also with a penalty kick to close out the first half.

UAM Tillers’ Ebuka scored his second in the 61st minute, but OAU Giants equalized through a penalty converted by Toba James six minutes later. OAU Giants and HiFL 2018 awesome revelation, Kehinde Oripelaye put the home team ahead in the 84th minute with an amazing strike to make the scores 4-3.

However, the visiting team had a players sent off when Shaibu Benjamin fouled OAU forward Toba James and the home team took advantage of their numerical superiority to seal victory with a late strike from Toba James. The game ended 5-3 in favour of the home team.

The second leg of the semifinals is scheduled for October 17, 2018.The HIFL is organised by Pace Sports and Entertainment Marketing in partnership with the Nigerian Universities Games Association (NUGA).