Kogi State University (KSU) Steelers has emerged champions of the 2022 Higher Institution Football League (HiFL) season held in Lagos on September 24, 2022.
Kogi State University (KSU) is the first State University to win the higher institutions football league.
Kogi State University (KSU) Steelers came from behind to beat Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) Dazzlers 3-1.
Steelers were stunned almost immediately after the kick-off. Barely one minute into the match, their goalkeeper was scooping the ball out of his net as his team went down 1-0.
Musa Amorley, the coach of Kogi State University (KSU) Steelers stated to TheCable on his half-time team talk:
“I told them in Pidgin English: No be who first call police dey win case, Go for anything, anyhow.”
The Steelers did just that and they equalised after the restart, in a fast-paced action sequence that sent the packed terraces of the Yaba Tech sports pavilion into a frenzy.
The breakthrough, however, did not arrive until deep into the second half, after numerous wasted chances.
The Steelers added two more goals in quick succession to ensure the all-black trophy would be heading to Kogi state of Nigeria.
In the third-place match, the Lions of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) shocked the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) Warriors to clinch the bronze medal with a late second-half goal from Lawrence Echere.
Goodness Onyejiaku, the chief operating officer (CEO) of Pace Sports — the league organisers — said the competition has become a platform for talent discovery in the country.
In the words of Goodness Onyejiaku on the 2022 Higher Institution Football League (HiFL):
“This year’s competition has provided us with great opportunities to further connect with the Nigerian youths and lovers of collegiate sports.
Our sponsors have been a major part of this success and we thank them for their overwhelming support in creating a sustainable platform for talent discovery and youth engagement across Nigerian Institutions.”
Previous winners of the Higher Institutions Football League (HiFL):
- 2022 – Kogi State University (KSU) Steelers
- 2021 – University of Maiduguri
- 2019 – UNICALMalabites
- 2018 – University of Agriculture, Makurdi Tillers
