Upper West Region have taken an early grip on Group A, while Upper East Region sit at the summit of Group B on goal difference following the conclusion of Matchday One of the 2026 MTN Elite U-19 Championship at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence.
Upper West made the strongest statement in Group A, securing three points from their opening fixture after producing an impressive 3-2 victory over defending champions Eastern Region.
Their win puts them at the top of the group, with Ashanti Region second on two points, following their dramatic penalty-shootout victory over Volta Region after the two sides played out a 2-2 draw in regulation time. Volta Region occupy third place with one point, while Eastern and Western Regions are yet to open their accounts.
The standings underline Upper West’s strong start and leave the group finely poised, with the remaining teams expected to battle fiercely for the qualification places as the competition progresses.
Upper East lead tight Group B race
Group B is equally competitive, with Upper East Region and Brong Ahafo both sitting on three points after impressive opening-day victories. Upper East, however, lead the group on superior goal difference.
Upper East produced one of the most emphatic results of Matchday One, defeating Northern Region 4-2 in a six-goal thriller. Brong Ahafo, meanwhile, secured a convincing 2-0 victory over Central Region.
The two sides are therefore level on points, but Upper East’s four goals give them the advantage at the top of the table, while Brong Ahafo occupy second place. Northern Region and Central Region are both without points after their opening defeats.
With the margins between the leading teams so narrow, Group B promises to deliver an intriguing battle for supremacy, with every goal potentially proving crucial as the championship moves into its next round of fixtures.
The opening round has already showcased the quality, competitiveness and attacking potential of Ghana’s emerging U-19 talents, with several players making early claims for individual recognition while their respective regions fight for progression.
The MTN Elite U-19 Championship provides an important platform for young footballers to develop their technical and tactical abilities, gain valuable competitive experience and showcase their potential to scouts, professional clubs and national-team selectors.
Proudly sponsored by MTN Ghana, the championship forms a key pillar of the Ghana Football Association’s “Power to the Youth” initiative, which seeks to establish a structured pathway for talented young players to progress from grassroots football to the professional game and ultimately the national teams.
With the opening-day results setting up closely fought group standings, the focus now shifts to Matchday Two, where the regions will look to strengthen their positions and take another step towards securing a place in the knockout stages.
GFA Communications