Central Region secured their first victory of the MTN Elite U19 Championship after edging Ashanti Region in a dramatic penalty shootout following an enthralling 2–2 draw in regulation time at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.
The match delivered end-to-end action and showcased the fighting spirit of both sides. Richard Mensah opened the scoring for Central Region in the 30th minute, giving his team a deserved lead after sustained pressure. However, Ashanti Region responded strongly after the break, with Desmond Sadat restoring parity just one minute into the second half.
Ashanti completed the turnaround in the 74th minute when Owusu Agyapong found the net to make it 2–1. But Central Region refused to give up, and their persistence was rewarded in stoppage time when Daniel Hutcful struck late to level the score at 2–2, forcing the game into penalties.
In the ensuing shootout, Central Region held their nerve to seal victory and claim two points, while Ashanti Region took one point from the encounter. The result sees Ashanti drop to second place in Group B with seven points from three games, behind new leaders Greater Accra, who earlier thrashed Volta Region 4–0 in Tuesday’s opening match.
Brong Ahafo Region secured a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Upper East Region in the final match on Wednesday, keeping their qualification hopes alive in the MTN Elite U19 Championship at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence.
The win sees Brong Ahafo close the gap on Group A leaders Eastern Region to just three points, tightening the race for a top-two finish and a coveted place in the semi-finals.
With momentum on their side, Brong Ahafo will look to build on this performance as the competition enters its decisive stages, while maintaining pressure on the group leaders in what promises to be a thrilling finish to the group phase.
Running from October 23 to November 2, 2025, the MTN Elite U19 Championship brings together ten regional teams from across Ghana in a celebration of youth talent, competition, and development. The tournament serves as a key platform for the country’s most promising footballers to gain exposure, sharpen their skills, and attract the attention of national youth selectors and professional scouts.
Proudly powered by MTN Ghana, the championship underscores the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) unwavering commitment to nurturing the next generation of football stars. By promoting structured and evidence-based youth development, the GFA continues to build a clear pathway from grassroots football to the professional stage—ensuring a bright future for Ghanaian football.
GFA Communications