Reigning champions, Ashanti Region, started the defence of the KGL Foundation Inter-Regional U17 Colts Championship crown with a commanding 4-1 win over Bono Ahafo to put down an early marker on Friday July 26, 2024.
The title winners against last year's second-placed finishers looked the pick of the tie on the opening day but Coach Kwaku Boateng's side ultimately proved comfortable winners at the GFA's Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence at Prampram.
Ashanti Region finished the game with 9 players after defender Emmanuel Kwame Boakye and goalkeeper Abdul Ashurah were shown the marching off orders in the 82nd and 92nd minutes respectively.
Daniel Sarfo got Ashanti Region up and running after just 12 minutes from a sublime free kick before Eric Adu Gyamfi doubled the lead seven minutes into the second half.
Dennis Darko pulled a goal back from the spot kick in the 70th minute for Bono Ahafo Region before further goals from Maxwell Bayon (78th) and Narbi Joseph (94th) restored Ashanti Region's three-goal margin.
Ashanti Region midfielder Eric Adu Gyamfi, who wears the iconic No.10 shirt, was crowned Man of the Match.
In the second Group A match, Volta Region thumped Central Region 3-0 in a highly entertaining match at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence.
Three impressive first half goals from teenagers Aglago George, Tabo Kennedy and Setsoafia Junioe Akwetey condemned Central Region to the heavy defeat in their opening Group match.
Aglago George opened the scoring in the 276th minute, tapping in from close range after a superb through ball before Tabo Kennedy scored the second through the spot kick in the 43rd minute. Captain Setsoafia Junior Akwetey, who deservedly won Man of the Match after a blistering performance, completed the rout with a piledriver from 25 yards to secure an emphatic victory.
GFA Executive Council member Nana Sarfo Oduro performed the ceremonial kick-off with support from colleague Executive member Samuel Aboabire and GFA Technical Director, Professor Joseph Kwame Mintah.
The Championship fixtures on Saturday July 26, 2024, include Greater Accra Region slugging it out Upper East Region at 10am local time before Eastern Region battle Upper West Region at 15:00GMT (3pm local time).
The KGL Foundation Inter-Regional U17 Colts Championship, launched in 2021, has been an avenue for talent discovery for clubs, particularly Premier and Division One League clubs, with several players being beneficiaries of the esteemed competition.
The ten Regional Football Associations have selected the best U17 players from their Colts competitions to represent their regions in this year's edition.
The 12-day Championship, aimed at identifying, training and developing young talented teenagers for Ghana's youth national teams, runs till Thursday August 8, 2024.
GFA Communications