By: Kwame Bediako
University for Development Studies (UDS) has become the first African university to qualify for the final of the 2025 World University Games after a thrilling penalty shootout victory over Granada University.
The match, played with intense end-to-end action, ended goalless after 90 minutes, prompting a nerve-wracking shootout to decide the winner. Both sides fought hard to break the deadlock during regular time, but solid defenses and goalkeeping kept the scoreline at 0-0.
The tension rose as the game moved into penalties, with Granada missing their first spot-kick, giving UDS an early psychological advantage. However, the Ghanaian side struggled to maintain consistency, missing their fourth penalty and leveling the contest for sudden death.
In sudden death, every kick carried enormous pressure, with both teams refusing to give ground. The hero of the shootout was UDS’s goalkeeper, who made a crucial save to deny Granada’s final attempt.
This pivotal moment secured a dramatic 5-4 penalty shootout win for UDS, sending their team into the final of this prestigious global university competition. The victory marks a historic moment for UDS and African university sports, as no African team had reached this stage before.
UDS will now prepare to face their final opponent, with hopes of capturing the 2025 World University Games title, setting a new benchmark for African excellence in international university football competitions.
