The 2025 Nigeria Bankers Games entered week 5 on Saturday 22nd at the Unilag Sports Complex and on Sunday 23rd at the Yaba Tech Sports Complex.
Scrabble took center stage as Volleyball rounded up while in Football, the boys have been separated from the men as 4 teams match on to the Semis.
Female Football
It was the penultimate match day for women football as 4 teams fought for the chance to play in the finals. The ladies did not disappoint as they came very prepared to fight for the 2 final berths.
FOOTBALL
Female Football
It was the penultimate match day for women football as 4 teams fought for the chance to play in the finals. The ladies did not disappoint as they came very prepared to fight for the 2 final berths
Match 1: Sterling Bank vs FCMB (1-0)
The first semifinal was a cagey affair with multiple chances for both teams. In the first half, FCMB regularly tested the Sterling Bank defense with some amazing gameplay and calculated passes but they were unable to break the deadlock.
The second half commenced and Sterling Bank began to look more dangerous, racking up attempts of their own and the game seemed to be heading towards penalties until Sarah Oluwadunsin (Sterling Bank) gave her team the lead in the last few minutes of the game. Her decisive goal was enough to earn her woman of the match and Sterling Bank are in the finals for this year’s Nigeria Bankers Games female football event.
Match 2: Access Bank Vs First Bank (0-0) [4-2]
The second semifinal was a chance for the defending Champions First Bank to get an opportunity to defend their crown. But they had to first get past the Access Warriors.
It was a close ended game with both teams cancelling each other out throughout the entire game but it wasn’t devoid of action. A mix of missed chances and astute defending ensured that the game ended in a stalemate. After normal time had elapsed, the contest went straight to penalties with Access Bank coming out on top with a scorelines of 4-2 and now Sterling Bank and Access Bank will prepare for the finals.
Finals: Sterling Bank Vs Access Bank
| NAME | GOALS | BANK |
| Anwo Oluwatosin | 2 | Sterling Bank |
| Deborah Onigbolabi | 1 | Wema Bank |
| Oluwatobiloba Fasina | 1 | Access Bank |
| Ilabiya Omaojo | 1 | First Bank |
CAUTION AND RED CARD TABLE
| NAME | YELLOW CARD | RED CARD | BANK |
| Queen Babalola | 1 | – | Sterling Bank |
| Ilabiya Omaojo | 1 | – | First Bank |
| Stellamaris Onuoha | 1 | – | First Bank |
Male Football
With Wema Bank already through to the semifinals the remaining three semifinal slots were up for grabs and here’s how it all went down.
Match 1: Sterling Bank Vs Access Bank (0-0) [4-2]
Sterling Bank were looking to march on to defend their title, while Access Bank were looking to do one better than last season.
Both teams came out with guns blazing. Access Bank featured a rearranged team formation with Segun Bello standing in defense for the first time, and what a job he did.
Eze Philemon has yet to get going this season and was kept at bay by the Access Bank defense. Both teams gave it their all but there was nothing to separate the 2 teams despite both teams having chances to win the game even in the final minutes of the game.
After a hard fought and frustrating draw for both teams, the game proceeded to penalties. Sterling Bank’s Paul Nwaokete’s heroics between the sticks ensured that they emerged as the victors in the penalty shootout by a score of 4-2. His heroics also earned him the man of the match award.
Match 2: UBA Vs Taj Bank| (1-0)
Taj Bank were looking to continue their resurgence after a thrilling win in their final group game while UBA were hoping to feature in the semis for the first time in a long while.
UBA started stronger and controlled proceedings; the sustained pressure paid off when Captain Mujib Azeez (UBA) opened the scoring with a well-placed first-time volley in the 9th Minute.
The goal spurred the Taj team as they began to ask questions of their own, especially through their dangerman, Uchenna Chilekezi, But the UBA defense stood firm.
That lone goal by UBA turned out to be the only goal of the game even though Taj Bank looked dangerous especially in the second half but their efforts were not enough to get an equalizer and force the game into penalties.
Match 3: FCMB Vs First Bank (4-0)
The final quarter final match was between 2008 Champions, FCMB and 2023 Champions, First Bank. While First Bank were looking to turn things around and get their first win, FCMB were hoping to build on the thrill of their final group game.
The game was a joy to watch in the first 15 minutes as both teams showed class and desire. However, the tempo began to change as FCMB began to gain the upper hand and take control of the game.
Abubakar Shafi (FCMB) who’s been in excellent form, opened the scoring for FCMB in the 14th minute, he then got a brace in the 44th minute. After the restart, in the 50th minute, Lawrence Ojonugwa scored a third for FCMB and to cap off a great display and to send a statement to the other teams, Chijoke Obinna slotted the 4th goal for FCMB.
Like last season when FCMB started turning things around at this stage, they march on to the semis.
Following the conclusion of the quarter final matches, below are the semifinal pairings;
Semi Final 1 – Wema Bank Vs UBA
Semi Final 2 – Sterling Bank Vs FCMB
GOAL SCORERS TABLE
| NAME | GOALS | BANK |
| Sammy Adewunmi | 4 | Wema Bank |
| Ayomide Ojo | 3 | Wema Bank |
| Eze Philemon | 1 | Sterling Bank |
| Tobi Mejedi | 1 | Sterling Bank |
| Collins Benjamin | 1 | Wema Bank |
| Adebayo Abiodun | 1 | Wema Bank |
| Chijoke Odoh | 1 | Sterling Bank |
| Amad Umar | 1 | UBA |
| Kalu Oti Udeubi | 1 | Taj Bank |
| Uchenna Chilekezi | 1 | Taj Bank |
| Sanni Salifu | 1 | |
Fela is the Co-founder of MediaVision Limited .
