The search for silverware got off again on Wednesday as some of the second leg matches of the round of 16 of Hifl 2020/2021 edition were decided across centres.
Quite obvious in the matches was the level of competitiveness and determination of the teams with their eyes on the revered title. The final scoreline showed resilience and of course some effort were not enough to cross over.
At the Sports Complex of the University of Calabar, the defending champions of the league, Unical Malabites crashed out from the race- even as they won the game 1 nil.
Uloko Samuel’s strike in the first half had given the home side an early advantage,but the Uniben held their ground to protect the edge gained from the first leg played in Benin where they won 4-2.
After a goalless draw in the first leg, FUTMinna transformers defeated Lautech Hunters 3-2 to reach the quarter-final as University of Maiduguri secured a double win (home and away) with 5-3 aggregate over Bayero University,Kano to book a spot in the quarter-final.
At Ile-Ife, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, forced the inaugural HIFL bronze medalist, Obafemi Awolowo University to a 1-1 draw to cruised to last eight after a goalless draw in the first leg of the game.
The last batch of the round of 16 games (second leg) would be on card come Wednesday , August 11 across centres after which winners of yesterday’s encounter will know their respective foes.