When she approaches you to sell one of Republic Bank's numerous amazing products, the last thing you'd think is that Vivian Thompson could out-run and outsmart you in a game of football.

Chances are, she just might.

"I love football, I don't know," she says. "I just do."

She's been a regular fixture of the Joy Sports Invitational over the years, and keen watchers would have noticed her when her employer used to be known as HFC Bank, before the name change earlier this year.

Having joined HFC in 2008, it was not difficult to become a poster girl for the ladies team. But where did the love for the game come from for the Takoradi-raised banker?

"I have two older brothers, and because I followed them everywhere, I ended up doing what they love - playing football! One of them, Akwasi, was a very well known goalkeeper at Anaji Estates, so I just tagged along."

When Joy Sports Baaba Tandoh visited Republic Bank's offices in August for the traditional team bragging rights session, Vivian declared that while other companies claimed to have trained in Spain, England and other exotic places, her team were very happy to be right here in Ghana.

"We will field our own players, no Neymar, no Mbappe, or whatever, but they will all see our show".

Indeed, we saw.

Vivian of @RepublicBank showing some skills before the ceremonial kickoff at the Joy Sports Invitational tournament 2018.#JoyInvitational pic.twitter.com/1WBAkzJ64V

— Joy 99.7 FM (@Joy997FM) September 1, 2018

The ceremonial kick-off at the Lizzy Sports Complex for the 2018 Joy Sports Invitational featured Vivian in a fine display of tip-tapping. She held the ball up 29 times before it dropped. Not bad, eh?

And Republic Bank did start well, beating People's Pensions Trust in their Group A opener, 1-0 in the men's football.  

Follow the live blog of the 2018 JSI here.