Chinedu Okafor
The FUOYE Dazzlers Queens completed a remarkable campaign at the NUGA 2025 Games in Jos, emerging champions of the female football category after a succession of strong performances that showcased their tactical brilliance and mental fortitude.
The journey to gold began with the preliminary group match against Osun State University (UNIOSUN), where FUOYE opened their campaign with a 1–1 draw. The match set the tone for their resilience, as the team fought back from early pressure to secure a crucial point.
In their second group encounter, FUOYE faced Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JOSTUM), in what would become a statement victory. The Queens dominated the game with a commanding 4–2 win, displaying fluid play, swift counter-attacks, and tight defensive coordination.
That victory over JOSTUM secured FUOYE’s advancement to the knockout rounds, confirming the team’s readiness for higher-calibre opponents and deepening their confidence ahead of the semi-finals.
The semi-final match against host institution UNIJOS was one of the most intense fixtures of the tournament. With a highly supportive home crowd and a sandy, difficult pitch, FUOYE faced significant pressure but held their own with stamina, discipline, and well-organized play.
According to the Chairman of the Sports Committee, Prof. Adeyemi, who watched the semi-final live, the match was “tough and tactical,” and although the pitch conditions were below standard, FUOYE’s resilience and composure stood out throughout the encounter.
He explained that the sandy, forestry-based pitch affected ball movement and player stability but praised the FUOYE Queens for adapting quickly and maintaining competitive advantage against the host team despite their supporters’ overwhelming presence.
The hard-fought semi-final win sent the Queens into the grand finale, where they faced the University of Lagos (UNILAG) in a much-anticipated showdown between two disciplined and technically sound teams.
In the pulsating final match, FUOYE struck first with a well-executed team move, before UNILAG responded with an equalizer. Refusing to lose momentum, the Queens pushed harder until they found the decisive winning goal, sealing a 2–1 victory and claiming the gold medal.
Speaking after the final whistle, Coach Blessing—who has been involved with the university’s football program since 2014—described the achievement as the product of years of determination, growth, and commitment through “thick and thin.”
He stated that the team arrived in Jos with clear targets and a strong belief in their potential, noting that winning the gold medal was “by the special grace of God, the fulfillment of our vision and proof of what homegrown talents can achieve with proper nurturing.”
Coach Blessing praised the welcoming environment and favourable weather in Jos, adding that the team blended quickly into the atmosphere and remained focused throughout. He emphasized that the victory will not lead to complacency, as the players are determined to work harder for greater opportunities.
With this triumph, the FUOYE Queens now stand as the reigning champions of Nigerian university female football—a feat Coach Blessing says is “not small,” but one they are prepared to defend proudly as they continue pursuing excellence on bigger sporting stages.