Skye Bank were dethroned by UBA in what may not be described as a vintage final. UBA will however not mind whatever description is given to the match as far as it does not exclude them being referred to as the new Champions. 
It was a defenders game as the attackers of both teams were neutralized with ease. Both teams seemed to have settled to a tactic of snuffing out any attack before it even takes shape, so for large portions of the game, play was in the midfield.
UBA showed their intent early on as they pushed to reclaim the title they lost to Skye Bank in 2011 and almost won back in 2013. The best chance of perhaps a dour first half fell to Martins Udeaja, whose freekick cannoned of the cross bar with Rasheed Oshun beaten. Perhaps that was a premonition that the goal that would deliver the winner would come from a set piece.
With chances at a premium, both defences were being careful not to give away any gifts, with UBA showing the more enterprise. Skye Bank’s famed attack that comprised of Ismaili Sani, Seun Mohammed (playing against his former team), Shola Akintayo and Mustapha Abdulrasheed were finding it hard to create openings against a team that had not conceded in open play throughout the tournament. For UBA, Emeka Iwu (on 3 goals), Emmanuel Igboke and Yemi Lawal were finding no joy either from Monsur Ali-Tofa, Mutiu Mustapha and Tayo Adeyemi.
UBA had maximum support from top brass as Chairman of UBA, Tony Elumelu and the Deputy Managing Director Mr. Apollos Ikpobe were on hand to cheer the team on.
Their presence seemed to galvanize the UBA Lions as they continued to look for loopholes in an otherwise impregnable defence. The closest Skye came to scoring was through Seun Mohammed, who after meandering his way through the UBA defence slipped at the last moment before he could pull the trigger.
The final 5 minutes produced more action than the entire game itself. In the final minute of play UBA won a free kick just outside the Skye box. Up stepped Cyprain Onyekachi and put it beyond Rasheed Oshun for his second goal of the tournament (both from free kicks).
With the game at its end, the drama was far from over. A few minutes into added time Skye Bank won a penalty after a UBA player in desperation to clear his lines handled the ball in the box. Referee had no choice but to award a penalty. Once again it looked like the demons of 2013 was back to haunt UBA (they conceded a late equaliser to send the game into extra time). Upped stepped Tayo Adeyemi, but this time, the man who has been consistent all through the tournament failed to deliver. He was outwitted by the best goalkeeper in the tournament, who guessed the right way to save the penalty. With that save Skye Bank’s 23 game unbeaten run came to an end alongside a 3 year reign.
ECOBANK RECORDS BEST PERFORMANCE IN THEIR NBG HISTORY
Ecobank will see 2014 as a very good year. Even though they would have felt disappointed in not making it to the final, but finishing 3rd in the Nigeria Bankers Games is their best finish in the football event, something they can always build on. Add to that, 3 of their players making it to the All Star team (Ngozi Okolie, Emmanuel Onwumere and Captain Bamidele Odunuga). Bamidele Odunuga was also voted the best midfielder of the tournament.
Fela is the Co-founder of MediaVision Limited .
