2018 winners of the Higher Institutions Football League (HiFL), UAM Tillers started the 2019 HiFL round of 16 stage on a brilliant note, as the 10-man team, secured a comfortable 2-0 home win over visitors KUST PYRAMIDS in Makurdi on Wednesday.
UAM Tillers, who were without last season’s most valuable player, Ebuka David, put pressure on the visitors’ despite been reduced to 10 men in the first half. The team finally secured two late goals to the delight of the home fans in the 74th and the 89th minute courtesy of Terkuma Abata and Attargher Job.
Elsewhere in Calabar, 2018 runners up, Unical Malabites were the better side at home against RSU DOLPHINS and will be going into the return leg with a 3:1 advantage. Malabites’ Ngaji Ekpong put the hosts ahead in the 2nd minute, while Emmanuel Charlie and Godwin James secured the victory with goals in the 22nd and 43rd minutes respectively, Manfred Emmanuel of RSU Dolphins ensured that the visitors did not leave without a goal with his 58th minute strike.
In Enugu, ESUT Explorers defeated Uniuyo Tuskites, with a comfortable 3:0 win. Emmanuel Emmanuel, Ngene Nnamdi and Ugwu Tochukwu all shared in the spoils with goals in the 18th, 34th and 58th minutes respectively.
In Zaria, ABU Nobles were held at home to a goalless draw by BUK Stallions, opening up the second leg for more exciting action.
The HiFL is organised by PACE Sports and Entertainment Marketing in partnership with the Nigerian Universities Games Association (NUGA) and sponsored by Stanbic IBTC, Indomie Nigeria and Premier Cool. The top 32 Universities from NUGA-member institutions will play over a period of 21 weeks, with the final four billed for the Agege Stadium, Lagos.
