Mass Communication 400 Level Crowned HOD’s Cup and Dean’s Cup Kings After Back-to-Back Derby Wins

By Isa Mubarak – U19MM1043 

The Mass Communication 400 Level (MM 400L) football team have once again etched their names in departmental football history, emerging as undisputed champions of both the 2024/2025 MACOSA HOD’s Cup and the NASSS Dean’s Cup, following a series of commanding performances against their junior counterparts, MM 200L.

The champions first secured glory in the MACOSA HOD’s Cup after a tightly contested 2–1 victory over MM 200L in the opening round. They proceeded to the final, where they defeated the MM 300L team, a repeat of last year’s fixture thereby defending their HOD’s Cup title for the second consecutive academic session. This win officially establishes them as two time back to back champions of the departmental tournament.

However, it was in the prestigious NASSS Dean’s Cup, organized by the National Association of Social Science Students (NASSS), ABU Zaria, that Mass Communication 400L delivered their most emphatic statement of dominance. The tournament, which featured teams from six departments within the faculty, kicked off on Saturday, August 2nd, 2025, at the Phase 2 football pitch.

Fate once again paired MM 400L against their familiar rivals, MM 200L in what became the second derby clash of the tournament day. Despite starting the match with a numerical disadvantage of 10 players, including their coach, Alhaji Sani, stepping in as goalkeeper, Mass Communication 400 level displayed brilliance from the outset.

Mustapha opened the scoring in the 9th minute with a swift finish, followed by a powerful strike from Faruk to make it 2–0. Giggles added the third before halftime, ending the first 45 minutes with MM 400 level comfortably ahead, 3–0.

Drama unfolded during the second half when it was discovered that the Mass Communication 200 level side had admitted and substituted an ineligible player, a direct violation of tournament Rule 18, which states: “Any team found guilty of fielding an ineligible player will be disqualified from the tournament." Consequently, the match ended at halftime, and MM 200L were disqualified and MM 400l were awarded scores 3-0. Mass Communication 400 level were officially awarded a 6–0 technical victory.

With this, Mass Communication 400 level football team have not only reaffirmed their status as departmental football elites but also sent a resounding message to the rest of the faculty. Their resilience, teamwork, and discipline have earned them the double crown, a feat rarely seen in campus football history.

As the tournament continues, all eyes will remain on Mass Communication 400 level to see if they can maintain their golden streak through to the overall Dean’s Cup final.