The countdown is over and Sunday afternoon will see the crowning of new champions of the MTN Ashantifest Community Soccer tournament at the Otumfuo Park in Dichemso, a suburb of Kumasi in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.
Bantama, perennial participants since the inception of this competition in 2021 by communication giants, MTN to reward and fraternize with their cherished subscribers in the Ashanti Region, face-off against 2023 entrants, Amakom in this year’s decider to climax an unprecedented 20-team event.
Incidentally, both Bantama and Amakom came through as runners-up in the group phase but have not relented in pursuit of the ultimate during the knockout rounds, with even the competition for the top scorer gong a hot race between players competing for these particular two teams.
A 10-man Bantama got their campaign underway with a 1-1 draw against Santasi in Zone D where they eventually finished on 5 points following a subsequent 2-0 win over Mamponteng on the double of tournament goal king contender, Henry Opoku ‘Pogba’ and a goalless stalemate against 2022 winners, Tafo.
Bantama starting line-up against Abrepo in the quarter finals – MTN Ashantifest Community Soccer 2024
Bantama then eliminated maiden champions of MTN Ashantifest Community Soccer in 2021, Abrepo 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in the quarter finals to book a last 4 date against hitherto defending champions, Ejisu who they duly dispatched again via the dreaded shootout, 4-2 after a thrilling 2-2 result to make their first final.
Amakom are also in their maiden championship match after coming out of Zone C, second to the aforementioned Abrepo following a 4-0 win over Dichemso and Aboabo. They saw off Zone D champions, Santasi 2-0 in the quarter finals before shutting out debutants Adoato 2-1 in the last 4 last week.
Amakom finished runners-up in Zone C of 2024 MTN Ashantifest Community Soccer
Now they battle Bantama for the ultimate, ensuring a new champion will emerge as has for all 3 previous editions of this competition which has at stake a mouthwatering Gh¢20,000 (twenty thousand Ghana Cedis) in addition to the huge trophy, gold medals and souvenirs from the MTN sponsors.
The eventual runners-up will not go home empty handed though, with a cool Gh¢10,000 reward added to medals and MTN souvenirs.
Beaten semi finalists, Ejisu and Adoato who met earlier in Zone A group play will square up in the 3rd place curtain raiser where the winner is also assured of Gh¢5,000 and medals.
MTN Ashantifest Community Soccer 2024
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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