A new Higher Institutions Football League (HiFL) champion will be crowned today when KSU Steelers from the Kogi State University tackle FUOYE Dazzlers from the Federal University Oye Ekiti in the finals of the 2022 Super Four.
The third-place contest will be between UNN Lions and Unilorin Warriors.
KSU Steelers and FUOYE Dazzlers will be playing in the finals for the first time since the inception of HiFL organized by PACE Sports and Entertainment Limited and supported by StanbicIBTC, Bold, LIRS, and Indomie.
The final will take place at the Yaba College of Technology Sports pavilion starting from 11 am.
The Steelers and Dazzlers qualified for the knockout stages by finishing top of their respective groups at the group stages of the tournament. While The Steelers led by coach Musa Amorley defeated FUTMINNA Transformers, BUK Stallions, and UNILORIN Warriors, coach Blessing Ayodeji of the Dazzlers superintended the ouster of EKSU Mountaineers, LASU Blazers, and DELSU Titans.
Meanwhile, UNN Lions led by coach Ike Chijoke have also promised to retain the third spot that they earned last year when they defeated the FUTMinna Transformers.
Speaking on the Super Four, the Chief Operating Officer at Pace Sports, Goodness Onyejiaku said the 2022 season has provided the organisers more opportunities to connect with Nigerian youths.
“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,” Onyejiaku said.
He added: “This year’s Super Four presents interesting dynamics. KSU Steelers and FUOYE Dazzlers are playing for the first time at this level and one of them will be crowned the new champion.
“UNN Lions and UNILORIN Warriors are returning to the Super Four and both teams will clash to determine the third-place winner.
“This development is a reflection of how fair the league has been over the years and that laudable standard is what we seek to maintain.”
UAM Tillers from the University of Agriculture, Makurdi won the maiden edition of HiFL in 2018. The trophy for the second edition was lifted by UNICAL Malabites from the University of Calabar while UNIMAID Desert Warriors from the University of Maiduguri won the 2021 edition.