2013 Nigeria Bankers Games is set to turn up a possible epic finals between two record chasers, Skye Bank and UBA or perhaps throw up first finalists in the history of the competition, Standard Chartered and Fist Bank. Standard Chartered will face Skye Bank in the first semi finals while two of the oldest banks in the country, UBA and First Bank will clash in the other semi finals.
Cup holders, Skye Bank were dragged through grueling penalty shootout to overcome an inspired Sterling Bank to make it to the semi final stages of the 2013 Nigeria Bankers Games which also will feature UBA, First Bank and Standard Chartered Bank in the most explosive NBG matches witnessed since the start of this premium Nigeria corporate games.
The defending champions Skye Bank succeeded in the penalty lottery, scoring all of their five kicks to win 5-4 against Sterling Bank who had in regular time led the champions with a shock of a 4th minute first half goal by Tunde Olarewanju. Shola Akintayo saved Skye Bank the blushes when he restored parity seven minutes after for the tie to end 1-1 leading to the penalty shootout.
In the second quarter finals, Fidelity Bank were shocked out 1-0 by Standard Chartered Bank in a nail biting revenge game that saw Standard Chartered team avenging two previous semi-finals loss to the Ihejiani Boys. Oluchukwu Ugehala nicked the vital goal that will set up a semi-finals clash with the defending champions.
In what could be considered the easiest passage to the semi finals, four time champions, UBA stream-rolled Mainstreet Bank 3-0 with a hat-trick from the inimitable Aminu Seun Mohammed. He would go on to attribute his feat to experience saying, “we have gotten to the stage in the competition when experience matters a lot. Obviously, I am very happy to have six goals tally to my name and I look forward to supporting my team mates win the cup for UBA”
First Bank fought off a spirited challenge from Ecobank to pick the remaining semi finals slot thanks to a early first half strike by Kabiru Yakassai and will meet UBA in the semi finals for their chance to reach the first finals in the competition.
