UBA 1 – 0 DIAMOND BANK
Cyprain Onyeka
FIRST BANK 0 – 0 HERITAGE BANK
FIDELITY BANK 0 – 0 STERLING
Three games were played on Match day 7 of the Nigeria Bankers Games. UBA were tied on points with Fidelity Bank and needed a very comfortable win against Diamond Bank to go top and edge Fidelity on goals difference were they to win against Sterling Bank.
The tie was uncomfortable as it was difficult for UBA
Chances were created but not finished as a combination of solid defending by Diamond Bank and Profligacy robbed UBA of goals. The deadlock was however broken midway into the second half as Cyprain Onyeka was able to bend a freekick just outside the box beyond the reach of Sodiq Bello in goal for Diamond Bank.
Heritage Bank also needed a win in their tie against First Bank, while First Bank also craved a win to tie Skye Bank on points and probably with some luck finish top of the table. First Bank rested Yakassai Kabiru and Austin Onyeukwu, but were in for a game as Heritage Bank pulled out all the stops to ensure they won this tie.
Heritage Bank were by far the better side for the larger portion of the game. They created several chances especially in the first half, but profligacy robbed them of goals with Onuorah Christopher the biggest culprit.
With UBA having beaten Diamond Bank to go to the summit of the table, all Fidelity Bank needed was a win of any shade to return to the top of the log. They however met a stubborn Sterling Bank that knew all they needed was a draw and they would be guaranteed a place in the quarter finals.
Sterling had the full complement of their team.
The game started with Fidelity showing early intent but met stiff resistance in a Sterling defence that had a game plan, which they executed well.
The game was devoid of any real action as it was played at almost a stroll and it thus finished goalless.
Fela is the Co-founder of MediaVision Limited .
