MFM won the NBBF/Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League title for a third time after defeating First Bank 66–64 in overtime on Saturday, www.aclsports.com reports.
The champions secured their third title in four years at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, completing an unbeaten 2026 campaign after holding off a late First Bank comeback.
First Bank scored first through Olarenwaju Ayodeji, who put them 2–0 ahead, before Idubamo Pius Beggi of MFM responded with two free throws after being fouled. MFM then took an 11–6 lead at the end of the first quarter and held a 24–18 advantage at half-time.
MFM extended their lead to 43–35 going into the final quarter, but First Bank mounted a comeback. With less than two minutes remaining, Marilyn Ogoigbe cut the deficit to one with a two-point basket and an additional free throw, before Kehinde Jesutofunmi made two free throws to put First Bank ahead 56–55 with 38 seconds left. Beggi then converted one of two free throws to tie the game at 56–56 and force overtime.
First Bank regained the lead in overtime when Jesutofunmi knocked down a three-pointer, but Beggi responded with two free throws to keep MFM within one. With the scores tied at 64–64 and five seconds remaining, Regina Iornumbe hit a clutch two-point jumper against her former team to put MFM ahead and seal the victory.
The victory also marked Ochuko Owolabi’s third title as MFM coach, having guided the team to all three of their championship triumphs.
MFM received ₦7.5 million as champions, alongside an additional ₦1 million for topping the Atlantic Conference, while runners-up First Bank earned ₦6 million. Nigeria Customs defeated Aso Sky Queens 51–38 in the third-place game and received ₦1 million for topping the Savannah Conference.
Beggi was named the 2026 ZWBL Most Valuable Player and was also selected in the Best Five alongside teammate Hembam Wandoo, Aso Sky Queens’ Favour Anari, Nigeria Customs’ Nkem Akaraiwe and First Bank’s Ebere Marilyn.
She received ₦500,000 for the MVP award, with an additional ₦500,000 each from Zenith Bank and XE Jet. Kasi Buzugbe of Aso Sky Queens was named the Final 8’s highest rebounder and received ₦500,000, while Nkem Akaraiwe was named the highest shooter and also received ₦500,000.
