For the 4th straight edition since it began in 2021, there will be new champions of the MTN Ashantifest Community Soccer tournament after Bantama ended the reign of Ejisu in the last 4 and will face Amakom in the 2024 grand finale next week, it is official.
Bantama, ever presents in this MTN inspired and funded football competition in the Ashanti Region since its inception in 2021, had never got this far in the three previous events but were not to be denied in Friday’s opening semi final tie at the Dichemso Otumfuor Park.
Action from Bantama vs Ejisu – semi final 1, 2024 MTN Ashantifest Community Soccer tournament
A Emmanuel Agyemang Badu own goal and a strike by Legon Cities star, Kwabena ‘Sonny’ Boateng for the previously unscathed defending champions were cancelled out by a brace from new tournament leading scorer, Emmanuel ‘Agogo’ Sarpong for a 2-2 draw in regulation time, before Bantama held sway, 4-2 in the dreaded penalty shootout.
Captains and officials formalities before Ejisu vs Bantama – 2024 MTN Ashantifest Community Soccer semi final 1 – Dichemso Otumfuo Park – 19/07/2024
Sarpong who plays in the Ghana Premier League for Berekum Chelsea, scored only once during the group phase but has sparked into life during the knockout rounds and now stands atop the goalking race on 4 goals after also bagging their only goal against Abrepo in the quarter finals. Sarpong, in fact wasted an opportunity to net the first hat-trick of this year’s tournament after missing a spot kick against Ejisu.
It resulted in a first defeat of any kind for Ejisu since becoming the first team from outside Kumasi to not only participate in this competition last year, but also go all the way to clinch the ultimate during an unbeaten campaign.
Ejisu’s bench look on perplexed as their side lost their hold on the MTN Ashantifest Community Soccer trophy
They returned with the same intention this term, winning Zone A with two victories and a draw before outclassing Tech 2-1 in the quarter final to keep alive their dreams of becoming the first to defend the trophy.
It was however not to be against Bantama who eliminated a former winner for the second straight tie, following their victory over maiden champions, Abrepo in the quarter finals, again on penalties, having also come through Zone C as runners-up after edging 2022 winners, Tafo into 3rd place thereby.
Amakom players celebrate progress into the final of the 2024 MTN Ashantifest Community Soccer tournament
But up and ready to deny Bantama in the final next Sunday, July 28 are 2023 debutants, Amakom who won a second straight knockout tie 2-1 to facilitate the exit of Adoato who were themselves participating for the first time ever and had come through the preliminary phase of an unprecedented expanded 20-team tournament.
Former Hearts of Oak and WAFA player, Marvin Owusu was alao twice on target to lift his tally in the 2-month long competition to 3, somersaulting himself straight into the goal king conversation. Most importantly, Owusu’s goals proved decisive for Amakom to carry the day and qualification despite the reply of Kwadwo Taylor for Adoato.
Adoato’s prayers could not save them from crashing out to Amakom in the semi finals – 2024 MTN Ashantifest Soccer tournament
It ensured the runners-up in Zone C are through to their first final of the MTN Ashantifest Community Soccer 2024 after crashing out in the quarter finals on their 2023 debut 3-4 on penalties to Dichemso after a 1-1 draw in which the very same Marvin Owusu scored Amakom’s goal.
The community football event began in 2021 as MTN’s way of not only showing appreciation to their huge subscriber base during the annual traditional festival of the Ashanti people, but also serve as breeding grounds to unearth and nurture very good talents as well as for established Ghana Premier League and foreign based stars to also showcase their skills during the off-season.
Action from Adoato vs Amakom – MTN Ashantifest Community Soccer tournament – semi final 2 – Dichemso Otumfuo Park – 19/07/2024
The grand finale comes off at the same Otumfuor Park in Dichemso on July 28 with the match for 3rd place between beaten semi-finalists, Ejisu and Adaoto serving as a curtain raiser, a repeat of their Zone A fixture which the dethroned champions nicked 1-0.
MTN Ashantifest Community Soccer -2024
3rd Place Play-off and Grand-Final
Date: Sunday, 28th July 2024
Kick-off: 2 pm
Venue: Dichemso Otumfuor Park
3rd Place Play-off
Ejisu vs Adoato
Final
Bantama vs Amakom
Top Scorers
1. Emmanuel Sarpong ‘Agogo’ – 4 (Bantama)
2. Ernest Appiah ‘BabyJet’ – 3 (Adoato)
3. Kwame Peprah – 3 (Atonsu)
4. George Antwi ‘Henry’ – 3 (Amakom)
5. Marvin Owusu – 3 (Amakom)
6. Nana Prempeh – 3 (Ashtown)
7. Stephen Appiah Asare ‘Shankiki’ – 2 ( Suame)
8. Samuel Kumah ‘Lewandoski’ – 2 ( Atonsu)
9. Emmanuel Owusu Boakye – 2 ( Kwadaso)
10. Joseph Gordon – 2 (Tech)
11. Elvis Kyei Baffour ‘Awukye’ – 2 (Amakom)
12. Nana Kwame ‘Laliga’ – 2 (Amakom)
13. Emmanuel Asiedu – 2 (Abrepo)
14. Yusif Alhassan Chibsah – 2 (Santasi)
15. Israel Yakubu – 2 (Santasi)
16. Henry Opoku ‘Pogba’ – 2 (Bantama)
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