MTN Elite U-19 – SportsInGhana

Ashanti Region beat Eastern in seven-goal thriller to emerge 2026 MTN Elite U-19 champions

SportsInGhana NewsDesk — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 17:51:00 +0000

Ashanti Region have been crowned champions of the 2026 MTN Elite U-19 Championship after producing a sensational performance to defeat defending champions Eastern Region 4-3 in a pulsating final at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram on Friday.

The grand finale provided a fitting conclusion to an exciting 11-day championship, exceeding expectations as the two sides served up an unforgettable seven-goal thriller at the GFA Technical Centre.

In a contest packed with attacking football, drama and relentless determination, Eastern Region fought back from behind on three separate occasions but ultimately fell short as Ashanti Region held their nerve to dethrone the reigning champions and take the prestigious trophy to Kumasi.

Ashanti made a blistering start to the final and took the lead as early as the seventh minute through Mohammed Dayvon. However, Eastern Region showed the resilience that had carried them to the final and responded swiftly, with Umar Archraf restoring parity in the 12th minute.

The champions’ relief was short-lived as Issah Seidu, who proved to be a constant threat throughout the contest, put Ashanti Region back in front six minutes later.

Eastern, however, refused to be intimidated and once again demonstrated their fighting spirit. Tetteh Narh found the equaliser to bring the score to 2-2, ensuring the two teams went into the break level after an entertaining and fiercely contested first half.

The second half continued in much the same fashion, with both sides pushing forward in search of the decisive advantage.

Ashanti Region eventually regained the lead in the 78th minute through Elvis Kwarteng, whose outstanding performance would later earn him the Most Valuable Player award for the final.

But Eastern Region were not finished.

True to their resilient nature, the defending champions responded once again, finding an equaliser just three minutes later to make it 3-3 and set up a dramatic finish.

However, Eastern’s celebrations were cut short almost immediately.

Substitute Emmanuel Boateng emerged as the hero for Ashanti Region when he struck the decisive goal in the 82nd minute, restoring Ashanti’s advantage and completing the scoring in one of the most dramatic finals of the championship.

Eastern Region threw everything forward in the closing stages and piled incessant pressure on the Ashanti defence in search of another equaliser. But Raphael Amankwah’s side remained resolute at the back, defending with determination and discipline to protect their narrow lead until the final whistle.

When the referee brought proceedings to an end, it was Ashanti Region celebrating a memorable 4-3 victory and a richly deserved championship triumph.

The victory capped an impressive campaign for Ashanti Region, who displayed consistency, quality and resilience throughout the competition before delivering when it mattered most in the grand finale.

Individual and team Awards

Ashanti Region’s Elvis Kwarteng was adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the final following his influential display and crucial contribution to his side’s victory.

The championship also celebrated outstanding individual and team performances throughout the 11-day competition.

Central Region were adjudged the Fair Play Team, while Ashanti Region’s Raphael Amankwah was named Best Coach of the Tournament after guiding his side to the championship title.

Kelvin Osei Owusu of Ashanti Region was named Goalkeeper of the Championship, while Greater Accra Region’s Dennis Adjei emerged as the competition’s top scorer after finding the net six times.

Central Region’s Desmond Korlettey was deservedly crowned the Most Valuable Player of the Championship following a series of exceptional performances.

The talented youngster won an impressive four MVP awards during the 11-day tournament at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence, underlining his consistency and immense potential.

A fitting end to an exciting Championship

The curtain has now officially fallen on the 2026 MTN Elite U-19 Championship, a competition reserved exclusively for players competing in the Second Division.

The closing and presentation ceremony was led by the Chairman of the Championship Committee, Hon. Eric Edem Agbana, alongside Andy Cofie, representative of MTN.

They were joined by Executive Council members Samuel Aboabire and Eugene Noel Nobel, Juvenile Committee Vice-Chairman Samuel Anim Addo, as well as Black Satellites head coach Maxwell Konadu.

The championship once again demonstrated its importance as a key platform for identifying, developing and showcasing the next generation of Ghanaian football talent.

The MTN Elite U-19 Championship continues to provide young footballers with an invaluable opportunity to demonstrate their abilities, gain competitive experience and take significant steps towards fulfilling their potential.

Ashanti Region will return home as champions after a dramatic and unforgettable final, while the 2026 MTN Elite U-19 Championship will be remembered for the exciting football, emerging talents and unforgettable moments it produced.

For Ashanti Region, the celebrations have only just begun.

Credit: Ghana FA

MTN Elite U-19 Championship: Talents light up Prampram

SportsInGhana NewsDesk — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 08:48:00 +0000

The 2026 MTN Elite U-19 Championship is gathering momentum at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram, with the young stars continuing to serve football fans a healthy dose of goals, individual brilliance and regional rivalry.

The second edition of the championship officially got underway on Tuesday, August 25, with Hon. Eric Edem Agbana, Chairman of the Planning Committee and Member of Parliament for Ketu North, performing the ceremonial kick-off.

Organised by the Ghana Football Association as part of its youth development efforts and supported by MTN under the “Power to the Youth” initiative, the competition is providing a platform for some of the country’s promising young footballers to showcase their abilities while competing for regional pride.

And the early exchanges have certainly lived up to expectations.

One of the biggest talking points has been Greater Accra’s emphatic 6–0 demolition of Upper East, a result that sent a strong signal about the team’s attacking quality and immediately added spice to the qualification race.

The competition has also proved unforgiving for some sides. Northern Region and Volta Region have both suffered successive defeats, leaving them with little room for error as the battle for qualification intensifies.

While the teams fight for points, some individuals are already beginning to announce themselves. Abdulai Basit has emerged as one of the early standout performers, winning the MVP award in consecutive matches and drawing attention with his impressive performances.

At the top of Group A, Upper West Region have established themselves as the early pace-setters after collecting six points from two matches. Their impressive start includes a 2–1 victory over Volta Region, putting them firmly in control of the group.

Eastern Region sit second on three points, while Ashanti Region have two points, with Volta and Western Regions both on one point. The standings suggest that while Upper West have given themselves a strong platform, the battle for the remaining qualification places remains wide open.

Group B, meanwhile, is proving even more difficult to call. Greater Accra, Brong Ahafo, Central and Upper East have all recorded three points, meaning the slightest slip could dramatically alter the qualification picture. Northern Region, without a point, face an increasingly difficult challenge to keep their hopes alive.

With every match carrying greater significance, the championship is now entering the stage where one outstanding performance, one crucial goal or one costly mistake could make all the difference.

For MTN, the competition goes beyond the excitement of football. It represents an investment in the development of young people and the creation of opportunities for the next generation of Ghanaian footballers.

Through the championship, talented youngsters are being given the opportunity to compete at a high level, gain valuable experience and place themselves in the shop window for coaches, scouts and football stakeholders.

As the teams return to the pitch on Friday, the big question is whether Upper West can maintain their commanding start, whether Greater Accra can build on their 6–0 statement victory, and which of the emerging young stars will step forward to take centre stage.

The goals have arrived. The talent is on display. The competition is getting tighter.
And with qualification places at stake, the MTN Elite U-19 Championship is only getting started.

Credit: MTN Ghana

Fixtures revealed for maiden MTN Elite U-19 Championship

Sportsinghana.com — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 11:35:18 +0000

The complete fixtures for the inaugural MTN Elite Under-19 Championship have been officially released, setting the stage for an exciting display of youth football at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram.

The tournament, proudly sponsored by MTN Ghana, will officially kick off on Friday, October 24, 2025, with a series of thrilling encounters that promise to showcase the best of Ghana’s emerging football talent.

In Group A, the Eastern Region will open the competition with a highly anticipated clash against the Upper West Region at 8:00 a.m. local time, marking the start of what is expected to be a fiercely competitive tournament. Later in the day, the Northern Region will take on the Western Region to round off the opening fixtures of the group.

In Group B, the Volta Region will play host to the Ashanti Region in what is set to be one of the marquee fixtures of the opening round, while the Greater Accra Region will face the Upper East Region in another captivating matchup. All matches will be played on the FIFA-standard pitch at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence.

Running from October 23 to November 2, 2025, the 11-day championship will bring together ten Regional Football Association (RFA) U-19 teams, each vying for glory and national recognition. The competition serves as a flagship platform for talent identification and development, providing young players with the opportunity to display their skills, gain invaluable experience, and catch the attention of national youth coaches and professional scouts.

The MTN Elite U-19 Championship stands as a key pillar of the Football Association’s “Power to the Youth” initiative, reflecting the FA’s unwavering commitment to grassroots development and youth empowerment.

With the fixtures now confirmed and anticipation building across the regions, the maiden edition of the MTN Elite U-19 Championship is poised to deliver a celebration of skill, ambition and the future of Ghanaian football.

Credit: Ghana FA