UENR clinch third place with dominant win at Honda Championship

The University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) secured a deserved third-place finish at the 2026 Honda Football Championship after a commanding 2-0 victory over the University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (UBIDS) in the playoff match.

Determined to end their campaign on a high, UENR responded strongly to their semi-final disappointment, where they suffered a 4-1 penalty shootout defeat to the University of Ghana (UG) following a goalless draw. From the opening whistle, they imposed themselves on the contest, displaying greater urgency, cohesion and attacking intent.

UBIDS showed glimpses of resilience but struggled to cope with UENR’s intensity and structured play. The breakthrough eventually came through Emmanuel Appiagye, who capped off a dominant spell with a well-taken goal, setting the tone for the remainder of the encounter.

Aziz Yussif added a second to seal the result, ensuring there would be no way back for their opponents. UENR’s defensive discipline also proved decisive, as they kept UBIDS at bay throughout the match, denying them clear scoring opportunities and maintaining control at the back.

The victory marked a fitting conclusion to an impressive tournament run for UENR, who consistently demonstrated quality and determination despite falling short of a place in the final.

Attention now shifts to the championship decider later on Saturday at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium, where the University of Ghana will face the University for Development Studies (UDS) in what promises to be a thrilling finale. The event will be preceded by a curtain-raiser between Ghana Senior High School (Ghanasco) and Tamale Senior High School (Tamasco), setting the stage for an evening of competitive football.

The Honda Football Championship, powered by Honda and Overseas Union Ltd and produced by RITE Sports Services, continues to highlight the growing standard of tertiary football in Ghana, with this year’s edition delivering excitement across all stages.