Ashanti U-17 Tournament Hits Fever Pitch As Finals looms
The Ashanti Region is bracing for a thrilling climax to its maiden U-17 football tournament, as the competition reaches its final stage this weekend with high expectations and rising excitement among football enthusiasts.
The youth-centered tournament, spearheaded by Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, has steadily grown into a vibrant platform for identifying and nurturing grassroots football talent across the region. Since its inception in September 2025, the competition has engaged communities and unearthed promising young footballers.
The journey began at the district level, where inter-community matches were organized under the supervision of local sports committees to select district teams. By October 2025, a total of 41 out of 43 districts had successfully assembled teams to participate in the group stage, which saw the districts divided into eight competitive zones.
Following intense group stage encounters, the top two teams from each zone advanced to the round of sixteen. The knockout phase, held in February 2026 at Aboabo Akorem in Kumasi, delivered two days of exhilarating football, showcasing remarkable talent, skillful dribbling, and clinical finishing from the young players. The competition was subsequently narrowed down to eight top-performing teams.
The quarterfinal stage was later moved to Offinso Ahenkro, where four teams battled their way into the semifinals after fiercely contested matches.
The semifinal fixtures promise exciting local rivalries, with Afigya Kwabre North set to face Afigya Kwabre South, while Atwima Nwabiagya North locks horns with Kwabre East. The winners will progress to the much-anticipated grand finale scheduled for Sunday, April 5, 2026, at Paa Joe Park at KNUST.
In a significant boost to the tournament, telecommunications giant MTN Ghana has come on board as the title sponsor.
The company is providing jerseys for the semifinalists, as well as trophies and medals for the winners, reaffirming its commitment to youth empowerment and sports development.
Dr. Amoakohene emphasized that the core objective of the tournament is to discover and develop football talents across the region, with the long-term vision of producing future stars for Ghana’s national teams.
With anticipation at an all-time high, football fans are expected to throng the Paa Joe Stadium in large numbers to witness what promises to be an electrifying finale and a celebration of emerging football excellence in the Ashanti Region.
