Get Guardian on GoogleHighflying University of Agriculture, Makurdi (Tillers) at the weekend in the Agege Stadium, Lagos defeated University of Calabar (Malabites) by 5-4 penalty shootout to win the maiden Higher Institutions Football League (HIFL).
The exciting game ended goalless at full time and the teams had to be separated through the penalty lottery. UAM emerged victorious after the pulsating five kicks each.
According to HIFL officials, the best players of the competition would be picked to represent Nigeria in the 2019 International University Sports Federation Games scheduled for Naples, Italy.
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Speaking at the end of the match, Stanbic IBTC Bank’s Acting Head, Marketing Communications, Margaret Oyefeso- Odusami applauded the finalists and all the teams that participated in the football league for giving their best in the championship and promised that the bank would continue to support the growth of grassroots football development in Nigeria.
Also speaking at the event, Chief Strategy Officer, Pace Sports and Entertainment Marketing, Olamide Adeyemo, whose company organises the league, said with the success of the 2018 edition of the HIFL, 2019 would feature more teams from across the country.
The HIFL league, which was supported by the Nigeria University Games Association (NUGA), featured 30 games played by 16 teams.
Coach of University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Priscilla Vande, who is the only female coach in the HIFL, said she was filled with joy for leading her team to win the tournament.
Earlier, OAU defeated the University of Ilorin Warriors 3-1 to win the third place match.
