UNICAL Malabites 1-1 UAM Tillers (5-4 pens): University of Calabar are HiFL 2019 champions

October 28, 2019 admin Transfers 0

The Calabar-based team pipped the defending champions to lift this year’s title at the Agege Stadium

UNICAL Malabites have won the 2019 Higher Institutions Football League (HiFL) after defeating UAM Tillers 5-4 on penalties in Lagos.

The Malabites rallied from a goal deficit to force Saturday’s final to penalty shoot-out after settling for a 1-1 draw at the end of 90 minutes.

Defending champions UAM Tillers started the encounter on the stronger foot with captain Asen Shater’s effort which fired them ahead in the 16th minute.

Shater opened the scoring with a brilliant finish after beating the Malabites’ offside trap. 

Few minutes later, the Tillers were reduced to 10 men after Dolumon Anikyongu was shown a second yellow card for simulation.

After the break, second-half substitute Ngaji Mojafu brought UNICAL Malabites back into the game with his equaliser in the 62nd minute.

In the 81st minute, the Malabites had the ball in the back of the net but it was ruled out for an offside.

The 90 minutes ended in a stalemate but Moshood Jimoh Oyefolarin’s boys stole the show in the penalty shoot-out after converting all their attempts but UAM Tillers missed their final kick.

At the elite awards dinner, UAM Tillers skipper Asen Shater was recognised as the HiFL Elite Player of the Year while UNICAL Malabites coach Moshood Jimoh Oyefolarin scooped the HiFL Coach of the Year prize.

UAM Tillers goalkeeper Toraza Terungwa leads the Elite XI selection while UNICAL Malabites duo Osas Paul and Ujah Christian alongside UNILORIN Warriors’ Oyewunmi Samuel form the three-man defence.

OAU Giants duo Adeyemi Opeyemi, Toheeb Adebayo and UNILORIN Warriors duo Ajao Sodiq, Ogunbenro Mustapha link up in the midfield. UAM Tillers’ Asen Shater and UNICAL Malabites strike force Odey Santus and Ngaji Mojafu lead the attacking line.

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