FIRS are 2022 All Financial Institutions Football Competition champions after SEC win

Saturday’s final of the Central Bank of Nigeria sponsored annual event saw Leonard Pankyes scored a 20th minute matchwinner to give FIRS team the title as they clinched the two million Naira (2,000,000) ultimate prize.

In a post-match conference, Mr Godwin Emefiele, CBN Governor, who was represented by Alhaji Shehu Goringo, CBN Branch Controller in Gombe State, said the competition began in 1979.

Emefiele said CBN’s commitment to making positive contributions to the promotion and development of football remained the major reason for sponsoring the competition annually as it was in line with the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility.

“We thank our long-standing partner, the NFF, for its continued collaboration with CBN in organizing this tournament,” he said after appreciating the Gombe State Government for hosting the finals.

The NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau who was represented by Alhaji Babagana Kalli, the Chairman of the Borno Football Association, lauded the CBN for preserving the history of AFIFC through its continued sponsorship.

“This is really commendable and good for football development,” Kalli noted.

Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, who was represented by Dr Larry Daniel, the Executive Secretary of Gombe State Sports Commission, commended CBN and NFF for choosing to host the finals of the competition in the state.

In the third-place match played earlier, Unity Bank defeated Bubayero Microfinance Bank with a similar goal margin.