Yabatech to host UNIMAID, AAUA Luminaries’ in HiFL final

UNN Lions, FUTMinna Transformer battle for bronze medal
The University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) Warriors will battle Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, for the 2021 HiFL trophy this weekend at the Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech) Sports Complex, the organisers have revealed.

The third place game between the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and the Federal University of Technology, MInna (FUTMinna) Transformers will also hold at the venue on Saturday.

According to the organisers, this year’s final presents a contrasting fortune for the two finalists regarding their goal-scoring prowess. UNIMAID Desert Warriors head into the finals as the highest-scoring team from the Round of 16 with 11 goals, while AAUA Luminaries, qualified for the finals having scored only three goals from the knockout stages. The Akungba boys made history as the first state-owned university to qualify for the Super Four and to play in the final of HiFL since 2018.  

The four teams in the 2021 Super Four have scored 24 goals among them from the Round of 16 with Suleiman Saleh of the UNIMAID Desert Warriors as the highest goal scorer with four goals.  

To qualify for the final, UNIMAID Desert Warriors defeated the winner of the maiden edition of the competition, UAM Tillers, on 3-1 goals aggregate at the quarterfinal stage and qualified for the final by beating FUTMinna Transformers 3-3 on aggregate.

AAUA Luminaries qualified by defeating UNN Lions 1-1 on aggregate with both sides going through on away goal rule.  

According to Chief Strategy Officer, PACE Sports, and Entertainment Marketing Limited, Goodness Onyejiaku, whose company organises the event, “our sponsors, including StanbicIBTC, Nivea Men, Bold and Minimie have demonstrated corporate responsibility by their association with the HiFL brand to connect and provide opportunities for Nigerian youths to develop their talents even while they study. It can only get better as we all look forward to an interesting final.”  

Also speaking ion the competition, Beiersdorf’s Managing Director, Nigeria, Godwin Harrison, said, “Nivea Men is happy to witness these fantastic displays from our youths riding on the platform of the Higher Institution Football League.

“The dedication and determination of these players to succeed in their games align with our goal of connecting with Nigerian youths and providing them with platforms to express themselves while they also study. As we look forward to the Super Four games, we congratulate the teams that will play in the finals.”