By Jacob Ajom

There will be lots of fireworks as the maiden edition of the Varsity Cup Men’s Football 2024 season comes to an end tomorrow (Wednesday) at the Main Bowl of the University of Benin Sport Complex, Benin City, Edo State.

The final match will be between the comeback kings, University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) against the unbreakable Joseph Tarka University of Agriculture, Makurdi (JOSTUM). This will be preceded by a third place match between Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (OAU) and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

This event crowns an exhilarating and highly emotional five (5) weeks of crisscrossing campuses across the length and breadth of Nigeria to bring the skills and passion of football from our universities to the world.

Over 50,000 students across 5 campuses enjoyed premium varsity football while professional football stakeholders were on high alert with the quality of talent across the country.

The President of the Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA), Bawa Mohammed was effusive in his remarks. “The ability of our students to make fireworks happen with the level of their football talent has never been in doubt. With the leadership of the Sports’ Directors of the participating universities – collegiate sports in Nigeria is on the right path. We are proud of them.”

The CEO of Varsity Cup Olamide Adeyemo said, “We promised fireworks and the teams delivered them. This final is proof that Nigerian sports will always deliver when it matters.”

This finale promises to be electric as both finalists are from Group B and their initial duel ended in a draw (nil-nil) but UNILORIN eventually led the group due to the fair play rule as a JOSTUM player was handed a red card.

The third-place match is also a battle for supremacy as OAU men’s team initially beat UNN men’s team in their first encounter in Group A (2-0) and both teams will be fighting for not only the bronze medal but also bragging rights in this competition.

Fans and university stakeholders are invited to what promises to be an unforgettable day of football at The University of Benin Sport Complex on the 13th, November 2024.
Varsity Cup is Nigeria’s national university football competition for the best men and women’s teams. The competition is pioneering inclusion in collegiate football in a collaboration between Perform Agency and the Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA). It is sponsored by Moniepoint, in partnership with Minimie, Brila and Hyphen Sports.