Lagos FC beats Abuja FC to claim CBN Governor’s Cup

Lagos State branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Football Cub (Lagos CBN FC) has emerged winner of the 40th edition of the CBN Governor’s Cup. The team defeated the Abuja branch 4-2 on penalties.

The match played at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, in Ibadan, Oyo State, had ended 1-1 at regulation time before the penalty shootouts, which the Lagos team won.

The feat was the 10th time Lagos CBN FC won the tournament, which began in 1981.

For its effort, the Lagos CBN FC was rewarded with N800, 000 in addition to being presented with a trophy and gold medal. The runner-up, Abuja CBN FC, got N600, 000, while CBN Dutse FC got N400, 000 and medals as second runner-up. CBN Dutse FC also emerged the Most Disciplined Team of the championship.

Aliyu Bello of Abuja FC was adjudged the most valuable player of the competition after he emerged as the highest goals scorer in the competition with eight goals.

Speaking on the occasion, the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, who was represented by the Director, Legal Service Department, Kofo Alada Salam, said: “The significance of the competition reflected in the bank’s corporate social responsibility and derived from its sponsorship of the all financial institutions football competition, remains a testament to the bank’s contributions toward the development of sports in the country.

“The CBN teams that participated in this nationwide competition are usually selected from the participating teams in the Governor’s Cup Football Competition. We have also been in the forefront of supporting and developing sports through our sponsorship of other events, which include the CBN Lawn Tennis Open and CBN Golf tournaments.

“Nevertheless, as in every game, there is always a winner and a second best, and in this case, as you all witness CBN Lagos FC has again won the trophy for the 10th time, while Abuja is second,” Emefiele said.

Emefiele, however, applauded the Oyo State government under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde for supporting the final of the competition.

Dignitaries at the final were some top officials of the bank as well as former internationals that included Mutiu Adepoju, Ike Sorunmu and others.