…Niger Dethrones Men’s Champions, Delta Force

Two goals from Lamido Awalu and one from team captain, Adamu Kolo ensured victory for Niger Flickers over Delta Force of Asaba in the men’s hockey finals.

The Minna-based side beat the 2009 champions Delta Force in the final match of the IEI National Hockey Premier League played at the Abuja National Stadium on Saturday.

Awalu scored a field goal 12 minutes into the match and converted a penalty corner six minutes later to increase the lead.

Kolo, in the 55th minute of play, took the game beyond their opponents by scoring another penalty corner.

The win gave the team 17 points from seven matches, with five wins and two draws, scoring 12 goals and conceding three.

Niger Flickers, by this victory have qualified to represent Nigeria at the African Clubs Hockey Championships scheduled for Lusaka, Zambia in November.

Delta Force, however, dropped to third place with the loss and Yobe Desert Rollers placed second.

Earlier on Saturday, the Yobe Desert Rollers had beaten Sunshine Flickers of Akure 3-1 to leapfrog into second position.

In the other matches, River Kings of Port Harcourt beat Plateau Tigers of Jos 1-0 to finish sixth with five points from seven matches after one win, two draws and four losses.

The Sunshine Flickers finished seventh with four points from four draws and three losses, while the Plateau Tigers placed eighth and last with only two points from two draws in seven matches.

The league finals, which began two Sunday with matches in both the men and women pools, came to an end on Saturday evening.