UBA, Sterling Emerge 2025 Nigeria Bankers Games Football Champions 

UBA and Sterling Bank on Sunday emerged winners of the 2025 Nigeria Bankers Games football event in the male and female categories respectively.

The Nigeria Bankers Games football finals delivered an electric finish as FCMB and UBA battled for football Gold.

The game was one for the ages as it was a cast of the best defence, UBA who had not conceded a single goal so far, going up against the free scoring FCMB who had scored the highest goals so far.

The match itself did not disappoint as both teams matched each other tackle for tackle and shot for shot. However, in the 20th minute, in a moment of sheer brilliance, Amad Umar of UBA found space and masterfully dinked the ball over the onrushing FCMB goalkeeper to score what turned out to be the only goal of the game. Then UBA proceeded to lock shop in typical fashion.

UBA’s backline anchored by Captain Mujeed Azeez, delivered one of the tournament’s standout defensive performances, shutting down FCMB’s marauding midfielder, Macvey Ubong and hitman and tournament highest goal scorer Abubakar Shafi.

UBA held on to win their 7th football title and made history by lifting the trophy without conceding a single goal.

Corporate Nigeria also showed face at the stands. FCMB MD, Yemisi Edun, offered roaring support from the stands, while the Access Bank MD took his place on the bench during the women’s final—an unusual but heartwarming show of solidarity with his squad.

Tournament awards capped off the evening: Sterling’s Paul Nwaokete clinched Best Goalkeeper; FCMB’s Ubong Macvey won Best Midfielder; and UBA’s Mujeed Azeez earned Best Defender, while Amad Umar deservedly won the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

In the third-place match, Sterling Bank overcame Wema Bank to win bronze.

Meanwhile, in the female category, Sterling Bank’s Jet Queens emerge as champions after a hard fought battle against Access Bank.

The female football event had not produced much goals leading up to the finals and as the finals started and wore on, it did not look like it would change.

The game was tight, tense and tactical and looked set for penalties before the Sterling Jet Queens struck late to win the game. Sterling Bank had more possession and width but were nicely contained by the Access Bank ladies.

Sterling Bank have now won their first football title, leaving Access Bank with the silver medal. Finishing the podium was defending Champions First Bank who beat FCMB for bronze.