TheCable

Kogi State University (KSU) Steelers are the champions of the 2022 Higher Institution Football League (HiFL) season.

The team came from behind to beat Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) Dazzlers 3-1 in Lagos on Saturday.

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.

Marshalling themselves from the deficit, the KSU students were reminded of the encouraging words of Musa Amorley, their coach, during the warm-up.

“I told them in Pidgin English: No be who first call police dey win case, Go for anything, anyhow,” the coach told TheCable.

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.

#HiFL2022 Champions 🏆 🥇 🏅 @KSUSteelers.

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Well deserved!!!!!#HiFLNigeria#HiFL2022#FUOYEVsKSU pic.twitter.com/yQ8lrBhJTK

— HiFLNigeria ⚽️ (@HiFLNigeria) September 24, 2022

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.

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.

“This year’s competition has provided us with great opportunities to further connect with the Nigerian youths and lovers of collegiate sports,” the CEO said

“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.”