20 teams set to jostle for Central Bank of Nigeria’s football tourney title

At least 20 teams have been confirmed as participants at the 2022 All Financial Institutions Football Competition (AFIFC), sponsored by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

According to statement issued by the CBN’s Director Corporate Communications, Osita Nwanisobi, the competition would start with preliminary matches to be played both in Kano and Akure.

Nwanisiobi disclosed that the participating teams will include regulators, deposit money banks and other financial institutions and would play each other in two groups of 10 teams each

He divulged further that Kano and Akure will also host the quarter-final matches on Saturday, while the semi-finals would hold on Dec. 6 in Bauchi.

“The finals of the competition will be decided at the Pantami Township Stadium, Gombe, Gombe State, on Dec. 10,” he said.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has being partner of the tournament which is in its 35th edition.

Nwanisiobi said the eventual winner of this year’s CBN Football competition will go home with N2million naira.

He said the runners-up would go home with N1.5 million, while the third place winner would receive N1 milliion as fourth-placed team pocket N500,000.

“The competition promotes unity, harmony, and peaceful co-existence among key players in Nigeria’s financial system.

“The CBN and the NFF have concluded plans to have Mr Garba Lawal, a former Nigerian International, as Special Guest at the finals.

“This is to serve as a significant boost for participating teams.

“The CBN urges all the registered teams to participate actively and exhibit an unrelenting spirit of sportsmanship.”

Nwanisiobi said that the CBN remained committed to making positive contributions to the promotion and development of football by sponsoring the competition annually, which is in line with the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility.