The Desert Warriors of the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID Desert Warriors) has won this year edition of the Higher Institutions Football League (HiFL). The Dessert Warriors last weekend defeated The Luminaries of the Adekunle Ajasin University, (AAUA Luminaries) 1-0 in the keenly contested final match played at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex.
The match started with AAUA Luminaries, who were making their debut in the competition, attacking the Dessert Warriors for an early goal with the attacking duo of Ologbon Emmanuel and Rotimi Ayomide leading the offensive.
However, the first half ended goalless as the Desert Warriors’ defence held on well with Abdulrahaman Musa and Ochei David Michael displayed dexterity in the defence.
The second half of the match changed as the players of the Dessert Warriors started attacking the Luminaries for the opening goal. The consistent attacks paid off in the 62nd minute of the match when Ochei Elijah Francis, Desert Warriors’ captain nodded home a cross from the right past Isaac Phillip in the goal for the Luminaries for the first and only goal of the match.
Ochei was named the StanbicIBTC Man-of-the-Match. In a post-match interview, Dauda ‘Ziko’ Daniel’s UNIMAID Desert Warriors coach said the victory was the result of good preparation and support from the school authorities. “We had a very good preparation from the beginning of this competition, and we have been supported financially and morally by the school authority. This is the result of their support, it was difficult but we thank God,” he said.
Goodness Onyejiaku, Chief Strategy Officer, PACE Sports and Entertainment Marketing, organizers of the competition, said the competition continues to enjoy tremendous support from sponsors. “We appreciate StanbicIBTC, Nivea Men, Bold and Minimie and the Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) for their support. We have all enjoyed this season and look forward to a more interesting HiFL in 2022,” he said.
