By: Kwame Bediako
Eastern Region crown champions in the inaugural MTN Elite U19 Championship, beating Brong Ahafo 4-2 on penalties after a tense goalless draw at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram on Sunday, November 2, 2025.
The final proved to be a highly competitive encounter, keeping fans on edge as neither side managed to break the deadlock in regulation time.
The match was decided by a nerve-wracking penalty shootout, where Eastern Region’s goalkeeper became the hero with two crucial saves.
His composure kept the team in contention, while his teammates calmly converted four of their five spot-kicks to secure the historic win.
Despite missing penalties during regulation time, Desmond Tutu of Eastern Region earlier misses were overshadowed by the team’s collective determination and tactical discipline.
Eastern Region’s journey to the championship was marked by resilience and consistency, as they topped their group and demonstrated strong mental fortitude across the 11-day tournament.
Coach Kelvin Agyemang Tuffuor guided the side with precise tactical strategies that helped the team overcome tough challenges en route to the title.
Individual honours were also distributed, with Greater Accra’s Yussif Saani claiming both the Most Valuable Player and Top Scorer awards, netting five goals in six matches.
From the champions, Ishmael Azagonor was named Best Goalkeeper, while Prince Boakye earned Most Promising Player recognition, highlighting Eastern Region’s depth of talent.
The MTN Elite U19 Championship, held from October 23 to November 2, featured ten regional teams and showcased Ghana’s wealth of emerging youth football talent.
Sponsored by MTN Ghana and organized by the Ghana Football Association, the competition underscores ongoing efforts to strengthen grassroots development and create sustainable career pathways for young players aspiring to reach professional and national team levels.
