Customs, NIS Reach NUJ Football Tournament Final

Dr. Nafisat Makinde, Abuja

Nigeria Customs Service and the National Institute for Sports will meet in the final of the 2026 Nigeria Union of Journalists Football Tournament after both teams won their semifinal matches in Abuja on Friday.

Customs defeated the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency 3-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in regulation time, while NIS edged the Nigerian Air Force 1-0.

The final is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at the Area 3 Football Pitch in Abuja.

NDLEA took the lead in the first semifinal through Abbas Yusuf before Customs equalised through Mikail Abubakar shortly before halftime.

Abubakar then converted a second-half penalty to put Customs ahead and take his tournament tally to four goals.

NDLEA levelled in stoppage time after a long-range effort resulted in an own goal by Customs goalkeeper Charles M. Ahur, sending the match to a penalty shootout.

Ahur saved two penalties as Customs prevailed 3-2 to secure its place in the final.

NIS, competing in the tournament for the first time, secured its place in the final with a 1-0 victory over NAF.

The teams were level at halftime before Stephen Raymond converted a second-half penalty to give NIS the decisive goal.

Customs and NIS will contest the final on Saturday, while NAF and NDLEA will meet in the third-place match at 11 a.m.

The women’s final between the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists and the Women Football All Stars Association is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.

According to the tournament release, Customs Controller General Dr. Bashir Adeniyi Adewale and NIS Director General Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu are expected to lead their respective teams in the final.