Defending champions, Ejisu maintained their unbeaten record in the history of the MTN Ashantifest Inter Community gala after strolling past Tech 2-1 in the first quarter-final tie of the 2024 tournament on Thursday.
The first team from outside Kumasi to play in this competition as it expanded to a then unprecedented 16 communities last year, Ejisu never lost a game on their way to winning the ultimate trophy following a 4-3 penalty shootout triumph over Santasi after a 1-1 result in the final.
They are not resting on their oars though and are right back in the mix again this year, topping Zone A on 7 points from another unbeaten group campaign.
That set up a last 8 clash against Tech who finished second in Zone B and once again Ejisu came out tops, the strikes of Yusif Kamal and Victor Asamoah rendering ineffective the reply of Joseph Gordon for the opposing side for who, Nasir Pablo Aimar missed a penalty at the Otumfuo Park in Dichemso.
That ensured Ejisu became the first team confirmed for next week’s semi finals, where they will be joined by the side that they beat to first place in Zone A, Adoato who overcame Zone B champions, Atonsu 1-0 in quarter-final 2.
Former Ghana Premier League goal king, Augustine Okrah hit the solitary strike that proved decisive for debutants Adoato who came through the preliminary round after the 4th annual MTN Ashantifest Soccer tournament expanded into a historic 20-team event.
The quest for the two remaining semi final slots continue on Friday afternoon when maiden winners of this competition in 2021, Abrepo who won group C come up against Zone D runner-ups, Bantama.
The last 8 action concludes later when Santasi who won Zone D face-off against second placed in Zone C, Amakom, all at the Dichemso Otumfuor Park.
