By Adekunle-Oni Daniel
The University of Ibadan male football team, the UI Pioneers, were paired in Group B alongside Usmanu Danfodio University, Lagos State University (LASU), and the University of Calabar (UNICAL).
The first match for the UI Pioneers was played on November 9, 2025, against Lagos State University (LASU). The UI pioneers put out an outstanding performance against LASU, defeating them 2 – 0. The goal scorers were Obinna before half-time and Korede, converting from the penalty spot.
The second match for the UI Pioneers was played on November 10, 2025, against the University of Calabar (UNICAL). Despite playing the day before, both teams came out and performed well on the football field. The game ended in a goalless draw, as neither of the two teams was able to draw first blood.
UI and UNICAL stayed top of the table with 4 points each. The UI Pioneers played against Usman Danfodio University in the final match for the group stage today.
In the final match of the group stage, UI Pioneers played a 1-1 draw against Usman Danfodio University. The UI Pioneers conceded a few minutes into the first half but were resilient to return the favour throughout the rest of the match.
A few minutes before the end of the second half, Ayodeji was able to score a goal for the University of Ibadan to give his team a one-point lead and the qualification to the quarter finals of the NUGA 2025 competition.
The UI Pioneers will face the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA) on November 12, 2025, for the quarter-final showdown.
