2025 NIPOGA Games: Offa Poly, Auchi Poly, Nekede, OSCOTECH, Others Advanced to NIPOGA Quarter-finals as Race for Gold Heats Up

… Eight Polytechnics seek quarter-final slots as matchup for the football clash and dates confirmed

… officials, athletes react as Public Relations Unit interact with contingents

… stay informed and ahead of the curve as our correspondent brings real-time updates and all you need to know about the knockout stages

The 22nd edition of NIPOGA Games is well underway with exciting events already completed in 800 meters, Javelin throw, 100 meters, Shot-put, Chess blitz, Judo, Tennis (female doubles), The Games has delivered iconic moments, major surprises, and standout individual performances bringing together tournament favourites and challengers. Football has reached its most thrilling stage with the quarter-finals now set to begin as Team FEDPOFFA secured a comfortable 1-0 victory over Yabatech in the final knockout phase.

The Public Relations Unit reports that the quarter finals bracket was set earlier today, Wednesday, April 9, 2025 as 8 teams have now set-out on the route to semi-final ties after the Team FEDPOFFA thriller. The institutions are Auchi Polytechnic (Edo State). Auchi on Tuesday defeated hard-fighting Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic (Bauchi State) 2-0 in the knockout stage match.

Other member institutions in the last 8 matchups are Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana (Ebonyi state), Federal Polytechnic Nekede (Imo state), Gateway Polytechnic, Saapade, Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Okev(OSCOTECH), Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, and the Host institution, Federal Polytechnic Offa.

To reach the stage, Poly Unwana defeated Kwarapoly 3-1, Federal Polytechnic Nekede (FPNO) defeated Federal Polytechnic Idah 6-4 and Gateway Polytechnic Saapade defeated Federal Polytechnic Ede 4-2.

OSCOTECH also advanced to the quarter-finals when it thrashed Federal Polytechnic Mubi 2-1. Federal Polytechnic Bauchi qualified by beating Niger state Polytechnic Zungeru 6-4, while OSPOLY, Iree won FedPolyOko 2-0 to set up for Team FEDPOFFA quarter-final fixture. The quarter finals are expected to start on Wednesday, April 9, 2024 (later today), promising an exciting battle for the prestigious trophy.

When reached out for comments by the Public Relations Unit, the Technical Adviser, Mr. Onijala Ademola Jones has reassured that Team FEDPOFFA is ‘hosting-to-win’, saying the hosts are well prepared for a memorable’ NIPOGA games

On his part, the Chief Coach, FEDPOFFA Sports Unit, who also doubles as the Technical Director, NIPOGA 2024, Mr. Odukoya Olufemi told our correspondent at the Stadium Complex that FEDPOFFA featured the largest contingent in the ongoing games. “We are fired up to win the games and not just to host alone. We have a 194-strong squad who have been training hard, so our numerical strength should be to our advantage,” he said.

The Team FEDPOFFA athletic coach, Mr. Bosinuola Taiwo, also said that the athletes were going for gold in all categories as soon as the game got underway. “The athletes are good to go, given the number of training and efforts we have put in place. We have an advantage because our squad is made up of young talented individuals. The 4 × 100 meters relay athletes and 200 meters have grabbed the qualification to the finals as we also expect other athletes in various track and field events to go for nothing but the gold in their respective categories.”

For one of the finalist in the 100-meter and 4 × 100 meter dash, Onabanjo Dolapo from the Accountancy Department said, “I had prepared well ahead of the games and we are praying to have a gold medal in all the track and field events. Its time to show the world what we are made of,” she added.

Another ND II Athlete from the Department of Business Administration, Mustapha Qudus who pulled off a stunning triumph to qualify for the men’s 200 meter finals pointed to the larger context of all that brought him to that moment and responded with gratitude, saying its gold medal or nothing. “We are encouraged to do our best during the games and everyone has a target which is the gold medal.”

Taiwo Abosede, an 800m ND II athlete from the Department of Business Administration also told the Public Relations Unit that the spirit in the camp was high enough, “We really appreciate the support from the management and we expect more funding as well.”

Bankole Oyinkansola Afeezat, a tennis player from the Department of
Mass communication who outpaced others to qualify for the female doubles final said “It was a tough game and we are presently in the semi-final phase. We worked very hard to earn our all-important win and i’m setting my eyes on winning a gold medal.”