FCMB, UBA Book Final Spots in Football, Wema, Access Shine in Athletics

The race for the 2025 Nigeria Bankers Games (NBG) football title produced high drama at the weekend as UBA and FCMB sealed their places in the final after hard-fought victories at the UNILAG Sports Complex, Akoka.

In the first semi-final, UBA edged past Wema Bank 1–0 in a tight contest decided by an early moment of brilliance. Alabi Allwell, operating from the right flank, delivered a precise assist that found Amad Umar, who calmly slotted home for what proved to be the only goal of the match.

Wema Bank pushed relentlessly for an equaliser, but UBA held firm, with Umar’s all-round performance earning him the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

The second semi-final was a repeat of last year’s final, as defending champions Sterling Bank once again faced FCMB. But unlike in 2024, when Sterling lifted the trophy, it was FCMB that emerged victorious this time, claiming a 2–1 comeback win.

Sterling began brightly and deservedly took the lead in the 21st minute through Eze Philemon, who scored from close range off a corner kick that FCMB did not deal with decidely. Their advantage, however, lasted just six minutes, as FCMB’s Abubakar Shafi converted from the penalty spot to level the tie.

Shafi completed his brace in the 60th minute, finishing off a sweeping FCMB move to complete their comeback. Sterling Bank searched desperately for an equalizer, but this bid was dealt a blow when Rotimi Akinola was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for dissent towards the referee. Reduced to 10 men, the champions struggled to find a response as FCMB held on to secure their passage to the final.

UBA and FCMB will now battle for the prestigious trophy as the 2025 Nigeria Bankers Games football tournament reaches its climax next weekend.

Meanwhile, the finals of the track events also held over the weekend at the Yabatech Sports Complex, Lagos. Team Wema Bank had an impressive outing winning four Gold and two silver medals. They were closely followed by Access Bank with three gold, one silver and one bronze, respectively.

In the 100m male event, Eyo Antigha of Sterling Bank pipped the Access Bank duo of Oghenewaire Onobrudu and Usman Musa to win the gold medal in a time of 11.05 sec. The 200m event saw Access Bank’s Oghenewaire Onobrudu beating Uche Peter of UBA and Eyo Antigha of Sterling Bank to the gold medal in a time of 22.03 secs.

The female category saw an emergence of a new track queen in the person of Adewunmi Oluwaseun from Wema Bank. She comfortably won gold in the 100, 200 and 4x100m events, following in the foot step of Hall of Famer Vivian Ezewonke of Fidelity Bank and Ayakura Kodoye of Wema Bank.

In the 400m events Dickson Godstime of Access Bank and Kutu Shade of Wema Bank both won gold in a time of 51.02 sec and 66.63 sec in the male and female events.

The male category of the 4 X 100m relay saw Access Bank winning gold medal beating Wema Bank and Sterling Bank to silver and bronze in a time of 45.75sec. The female category had Wema Bank winning gold in the time of 55.25 sec while FCMB and First Bank won silver and bronze respectively.