University of ilorin football team ( Unilorin Warriors) has reached the quarter-final of the 2021 edition of High Institutions Football League ( HiFL) following 1 nil victory over Kogi State University ( KSU Steelers) in the second leg of the round of 16 played on Wednesday at the main bowl of Unilorin Sport Complex.
Unilorin reached the last eight with 2-1 aggregate win, as Fashanu Michael Ifeoluwa’s stunning strike in the 73rd minutes of the game was enough for the Warriors to cruise past the ‘shaky’ visitors.
It was yet another impressive performance from Fashanu Micheal, who as a debutant scored for Unilorin in the first leg of the game which ended 1-1 at Kogi State University Sports Complex on 14th of July.
Although, KSU Steelers were unremitting in the game, but the team missed the service of Kpelomi Abodunde, who scored their equaliser in the first leg but couldn’t feature for the return leg after he was sent out in the first encounter with red card.
The Warriors, wasted a lot of goal opportunities and even when they seemed close, Sunday Onuh, who stood between the sticks for the visitors was a delight to watch, saving the visitors a huge goal deficit.
Speaking after game, the Unilorin Warriors Head Coach, Isiaka Gambari stated that the first leg of the game had served him well making technical and tactical decision,noting that they won’t leave any stone unturned going forward.
“I know the kind of players we paraded.They are very serious in training and always listen to instructions; that’s the reason why I have confidence in them and I believe we are going to win the title this year” noted Gambari
Coach Idakwo Omachoko of KSU Steelers applauded the organisers of the league for the initiative which he said will drive a lot of youth away from social vices, and commended his boys for giving a good fight against their opponent.
Advocating the need for fair and just officiating in the in the league going forward, the gaffer believes, even as a debutant team,they have been able to make a mark in the league and will come back stronger and better next season
Unilorin Warriors won bronze medals in the 2019 edition of Hifl after beating OAU giants on penalties. They will now face Federal University of Technology, Minna in the quarter-final of the league.