The University of Calabar (UNICAL) Malabites has defeated UAM Tillers 5-4 after a panelty shootout, following a 1-1 draw which saw the institution winning the 2019 Higher Institutions Football League (HiFL) competition.
The 2019 competition final, which was played on Saturday at the Agege Stadium was however different form the 2018 final which ended 0-0 at the end of regulation time.
UAM, this time around, drew the first leg early in the first half through the tournament’s highest goalscorer, Asen Shater, in the sixth minute.
UNICAL got a well-deserved equaliser in the 57th minute, leading to the match being decided by panalty kicks, just as it was in 2018.
However, UNICAL’s coach, Jimoh Moshudi, later stated that their performance in the final underscored their mental strength and desire to overcome the 2018 loss.
“We had to tell ourselves the truth during the match, that it was a match that we wanted to win to keep our heads up. Our victory was well-deserved, as the UAM team was not better than us. We are champions and we deserve it,” he stated.
The competition’s third place match between OAU and UNILORIN ended 4-3 in favour of UNILORIN after regulation time play ended 0-0.
Funmilola Bolaji is a Researcher, Writer and a trained Educationist; she’s the editor of Campusbiz Journal. You may want to reach her via for Campusbiz Journal related inquiries only.
