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The Central Bank of
Nigeria has failed the “stress test” of Unity Bank losing 3-2 to Unity
Stars F/C in their Semi-Final encounter at the on-going CBN Governor’s
Cup. The tournament is for financial institutions the country.

The game, which was
played at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna, was one of the toughest
since the tournament began penultimate week.

Two first half
strikes from Ibrahim Hamisu and Skipper Ibrahim Yakubu put the lemon
green Unity Stars in the driving seat. Fifteen minutes into the game,
Unity’s phenomenal Tukur Abdullahi dribbled his way to the right flank
and and sent in a cross, which Hamisu converted to raise the curtains.

CBN tried to respond
but Unity’s midfield manned by Hamisu and Sunday Moses resisted the
onslaught, and combined well with their defence which was commanded by
the towering Ibrahim Yakubu to give their goalkeeper Henry enough cover.

Unity Stars’ second
goal came following another ‘draft’ display initiated by centre half
Jamilu, who located Sunday Moses in the middle.

Sunday interchanged
passes with Hamisu before locating Abdullahi who weaved in between the
CBN defence and confronted CBN’s goalkeeper before he was tackled from
behind to earn a penalty.

Captain Ibrahim then sent the goalkeeper to the right and placed the ball to the left.

After the second
goal, with possession at 50-50, CBN changed their game plan and pushed
Unity to defend heavily. They were however halted with a counter attack
that put Abbas through. He raced down the right flank, and fired in the
third goal, deflected by a CBN defender into his own net.

Late scare

With Unity Stars
assuming that they had sealed the game, CBN took charge of the game,
mounting serious pressure on the Unity defence. The move paid off when
they earned a penalty, which they converted to make it 3-1. After the
penalty, they confined Unity to their half and won a corner kick which
they nodded home for their second goal.

Unity Stars however held on for the last 20 minutes to end the game 3-2.

The final game comes up at the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi on November
27, 2010 against Union Bank, who defeated the defending Champions, First
Bank, through penalty shootouts after the regulation time ended in 1-1.