Customs CG, NIS DG Set For NUJ Football Final Showdown
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
The 2026 NUJ Football Tournament final will feature a battle between two top government officials when Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the National Institute for Sports (NIS) clash on Saturday in Abuja.
NCS Controller-General, Dr Bashir Adeniyi Adewale, and NIS Director-General, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, inspired their teams to hard-fought semi-final victories on Friday and are expected to lead their respective sides in the title decider.
Customs booked their place in the final after edging the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) 3-2 on penalties following a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Old Parade Ground, Area 10, Garki.
NDLEA took the lead through Abbas Yusuf, but Customs’ Mikail Abubakar equalised before half-time.
Abubakar then put NCS ahead from the spot in the second half, his fourth goal of the tournament.
Customs were denied victory in stoppage time when goalkeeper Charles M. Ahur conceded an own goal, forcing the match into a penalty shootout.
Ahur redeemed himself by saving two penalties as NCS prevailed 3-2.
Earlier, tournament debutants NIS stunned the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) 1-0, with Stephen Raymond’s second-half penalty settling another closely fought semi-final.
NCS and NIS will meet at the Area 3 Football Pitch by 2pm on Saturday for the championship.
Before the final, NAF will face NDLEA for bronze at 11am, while NAWOJ will take on the Women Football All Stars Association (WFASA) in the women’s final at 12:30pm.
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