MFM were rewarded with N7.5 million after emerging champions of the 2026 NBBF/Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League following a thrilling 66-64 overtime victory over First Bank in Lagos on Saturday.
The champions held their nerve in a tense final after First Bank forced the contest into overtime, only for MFM to produce the decisive plays and secure their third title in four years.
First Bank, who are the competition’s record champions, received N5 million for finishing runners-up, while Nigeria Customs took home N3 million after defeating Savannah Conference rivals ASO Queens 51-38 in the third-place playoff.
The final lived up to expectations as both teams battled throughout before MFM eventually prevailed in the closely fought encounter.
Zenith Bank Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dame Adaora Umeoji, represented by Executive Director Adamu Lawani, congratulated all the participating teams and reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to the development of women’s basketball.
“All of you already inspire every young girl watching from the stands tonight,” Lawani said.
“Zenith Bank remains committed to the game. We’ll be here next season and the seasons after.”
MFM’s Ioumabo Pius emerged as the tournament’s biggest individual prize winner after being named Most Valuable Player.
Pius received N2 million in total, comprising N500,000 for making the Tournament Top Five, N500,000 from Zenith Bank for winning the MVP award, and N1 million from Dam Foundations and Xejet.
The other Top Five players were Favour Anari of ASO Queens, Nwaado Hemban of MFM, Nkem Akaraiwe of Nigeria Customs and Marilyn Ofidibe of First Bank.
Leave a comment