UNIMAID Desert Warriors of the University of Maiduguri

 

UNIMAID Desert Warriors of the University of Maiduguri, will resume their Higher Institution Football League (HiFL) title defence against the BUK Stallions of Bayero University, Kano, in the Round of 16, following the draws, held in Lagos, on Thursday, July 14, by PACE Sports and Entertainment Marketing Limited, organisers of the championship.

 

Speaking at the draws, Director, PACE Sports and Entertainment Marketing Limited, Sola Fijabi, acknowledged the efforts of all participating schools and encouraged them to maintain their sportsmanlike conduct as the games continue.

“We are now at a very exciting stage of the league. What was witnessed during the group stages is the tip of the iceberg. The schools are ready and what we assured lovers of collegiate sports is double excitement,” he said.

 

Fijabi added that “the growth and development that we have witnessed on HiFL is due to the unwavering support from our esteemed sponsors and stakeholders. We are confident that this unflinching support will continue through this season and beyond”.

 

Fijabi applauded the Nigerian University Games Association, sponsors StanbicIBTC, BOLD, Hiversa, the Lagos State Internal Revenue Services (LIRS) as well as stakeholders.

 

President of NUGA, Mr Emeka Ogbu, expressed satisfaction at the success of the HiFL.

 

“Our successful outings in the past seasons reflect the value that the league brings to youth development and football at the collegiate level. The friendship and unity exhibited by the participating teams have shown we can achieve more with youths and sports development in Nigeria if we are deliberate about it. Presently, we have players from this league who are playing in the Nigeria Professional Football League and other teams abroad and for us, that is a testimony to our successes,” he said.

 

In other matches, HiFL 2021 runners-up, AAUA Luminaries of Adekunle Ajasin University will take on LASU Blazers from the Lagos State University.

 

FUTMINNA Transformers from the Federal University of Technology Minna would play KSU Steelers from Kogi State University, KASU Crocs from Kaduna State University are making their first appearance at this stage of the competition and will play against the ATBU Bravehearts from the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University.

 

2021 semi-finalists, UNN Lions from the University of Nigeria will begin their 2022 season against UNIPORT Sharks from the University of Port Harcourt, and DELSU Titans from the Delta State Univerisity will play the IAUE Minders of Ignatius Ajuru University, Port-Harcourt.

 

FUOYE Dazzlers from Federal University Oye-Ekiti will tackle EKSU Mountaineers from the Ekiti State University

 

Matches in Round 16 are scheduled to hold between July 27 and August 17, 2022, over two legs.

 

The quarter-finals and semi-finals will take place in August over one leg and in neutral locations.

 

The HiFL 2022 season will climax in September when the final four teams will play in a Super Four tournament scheduled to hold in Lagos.