1. What is HiFL®?

HiFL, an acronym for Higher Institutions Football League is an annual football league designed to engage and showcase exciting sporting talents from Nigeria’s biggest and best tertiary institutions starting with universities from the South (Coastal Conference) and North (Sahel Conference).

2. What are Conferences?

Conferences revolve around Nigeria’s regional lines; the North and South.

The North is called the Sahel Conference comprising higher institutions from states such as Abuja, Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara.

The South is called the Coastal Conference and consists higher institutions from states such as Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo and Rivers.

3. When is the 2019 season going to start?

The 2019 season begins with the NUGA qualifying rounds in April and ends in October when the Super Four holds in Lagos.

4. Who are the Defending Champions?

University of Agriculture, Makurdi (UAM) Tillers won the inaugural season of the competition after defeating University of Calabar (UNICAL) Malabites 5-4 on penalties after a scoreless match.

5. Where will the games be played?

In the home pitches/stadia of the participating schools and the finals will be held in Lagos.

6. How many schools participate?

A total of thirty-two (32) top university teams with sixteen (16) from the South (Coastal Conference) and sixteen (16) from the North (Sahel Conference).

7. How are the participating schools selected?

All member universities of NUGA will participate in qualifying rounds to determine the 32 universities. However, host universities in the group stage are measured by each school’s score on the following; Security, Facilities, Reputation/Rankings, Sporting Activity & Excellence and Location.

8. What is the composition of teams in the competition?

Each school is represented by a football team of twenty-two (22) individuals. Eighteen (18) are players and four (4) make up the team officials. They are the Team Manager, Head Coach, Assistant Coach and Medical Officer.  

9. Can I volunteer to be a part of the organising team in my school?

We have Local Organising Committees (LOCs) in every participating school created to ensure the smooth execution of games. However, you may be a part of our volunteer force by signing up on the Volunteerportal on the site.

10. Can Alumni participate?

Former students cannot participate as a part of the playing team. They may participate in other capacities including the coaching crew, administrators, supporters and donors.

11. Which schools are participating this year?

The Super Four teams from the 2018 edition [UAM Tillers, UNICAL Malabites, OAU Giants and UNILORIN Warriors] by virtue of their performance qualify automatically for the 2019 season. The other 28 teams to join them will be determined after the NUGA qualifying rounds.

12. What are the stages of the competition?

Starting from the group stages, qualifying teams proceed to the Round of 16 after which winners of the games here proceed to the Quarter-Finals before the Inter-Conference Semi-Finals begin. Winners and losers from the Semi-Finals play the Super Four.

13. How many games are played in the competition?

Sixty-Six (66) games.

14. What is the Super Four?

The Super Four is a one-day competition finale for the winners and losers of the tournament’s Semi-Finals to play in the Final and Third Place games. It marks the end of the tournament and features a closing ceremony and award presentations.

15. Where will the 2019 Season’s Super Four hold?

Lagos.

16. How long is the 2019 season?

About twenty-one (21) weeks.

17. Are the players paid?

Yes, the players and other team members are paid allowances that are considerate and fair as long as they are still participating in the competition.

18. What prize do the winners get?

There are cash prizes for the players, team officials and the schools they represent. Products and services from our partner brands will also be made available to winners.

19. What provisions have the organisers made for the schools and team members?

Beyond allowances, other needs such as accommodation, transportation and feeding for travelling teams are catered for. Kits will also be provided to all teams.

20. What opportunities does HiFL® offer participating teams and players?

Alongside financial benefits and massive exposure to professional football clubs as we have seen with the four (4) signed players from the 2018 season, scouts and a teeming football-loving audience; international competitions, networking opportunities with other students and school pride are also on offer.

21. What award categories are included in the competition?

The HiFL® Elite Awards holds in the weekend of the Super Four as part of a series of events to officially end the season. For the 2019 season, it's scheduled to hold on the 27^th of October. Award categories include HiFL® Elite Player of the Year, HiFL® Elite Goal Scorer of the Year (Golden Boot), HiFL® Elite Goalkeeper of the Year (Golden Gloves), HiFL® Elite Coach of the Year, HiFL® Elite Host of the Year, The HiFL® Elite Team of the Year, and HiFL® Elite Platinum Award (Distinguished Honorary award).

22. How can my school participate?

All NUGA affiliated schools will be invited to participate in the qualifying rounds. You may however contact us via contact@hiflng.com to open conversations on behalf of your school.

23. How can I get in my school’s football team?

You may contact your school’s department/directorate of sports or any other body responsible for the management of your school’s football team for directions on how to be a part of them.

24. Who are the organisers?

The HiFL® Executive Committee in partnership with PACE Sports and Entertainment Marketing, a foremost Nigerian marketing company focused on connecting brands with their audience’s passions.