The Ashanti Region is set for an exciting football showdown as the U-17 soccer tournament reaches its climax this weekend, promising thrilling action and the discovery of young talents.
The competition, spearheaded by Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, is structured to serve as a platform to nurture grassroots football, giving young players the opportunity to showcase their skills on a competitive stage.
Matches at the group stage of the competition which were played across the various districts, drew large crowds of football followers from surrounding communities.
The competition started in September 2025 where the various districts under the guidance of their sports committees, played inter community football matches to select players to represent the various districts.
By the month of October 2025, all participating districts had their teams ready for the group stage competition to commence. Overall, 41 out of the 43 districts across the region presented teams to participate in the competition. The 41 districts were then drawn into eight zones with the first two top teams from each zone qualifying for the round of sixteen.
Districts that qualified for the round of sixteen included Afigya Kwabre North, Obuasi Municipal, Asante Akyem Central, Oforikrom, Adansi South, Afigya Kwabre South, Asaokore Mampong and Asante Akyem South. Others are Kwabre East, Atwima Nwabiagya South, Atwima Kwanwoma, Sekyere Kumawu, Sekyere Afram Plains, Amansie West, Atwima Nwabiagya North and Sekeyere Kumawu.
In February this year, the competition entered the knockout stage with the sixteen qualifying teams converging at Aboabo Akorem in Kumasi. After two days of competition, which saw the young generation of Ghanaian football talents display their football skills, dribbling abilities coupled with their amazing scoring capabilities, the number of teams were whittled down to eight.
The last eight teams included Afigya Kwabre North, Asante Akyem Central, Afigya Kwabre South, Asaokore Mampong, Kwabre East, Sekyere Afram Plains, Atwima Nwabiagya North and Sekyere Kumawu.
The quarter finals of the competition were moved from Kumasi to Offinso Ahenkro in the Afigya Kwabre North district of the Ashanti Region. After an intense competition, four districts qualified for the semifinals.
The journey now leads to the final stage of the competition with the two semifinal matches and the grand finale scheduled for Sunday April 5, 2026, at Paa Joe Park.
Afigya Kwabre North will play Afigya Kwabre South in the first semifinal match while Atwima Nwabiagya North play Kwabre East in the second semifinal.
Meanwhile, Telecommunications giant MTN has come on board as the title sponsor, boosting the tournament’s profile and supporting youth development through sports.
As title sponsors, MTN is providing jerseys for the four semifinal teams, trophy’s and medals for the deserving winners amongst many others.
According to the Ashanti Regional Minister, the primary aim of the competition is to unearth and develop football talents across the Ashanti Region, potentially grooming the next generation of stars for Ghana’s football future.
With anticipation building, fans are expected to troop in large numbers to witness what promises to be a memorable finals at the Paa Joe Stadium, KNUST.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com
