Northern Region claimed a 2-1 win over Central Region in their final Group A game to bag qualification to the semi-finals of the ongoing KGL Foundation Inter Regional U17 Championship on Saturday August 3, 2024.
Two second half goals from Siisu Zakaria and Musah Ahmed Shafaradeen were enough to send them to the top of the table temporarily in Group A.
Weyiawo Francis scored the consolation goal for Central Region at the Ghana Football Association's technical centre, Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence at Prampram.
Northern Region had their work cut out for them ahead of the must-win game and they managed to just do that. They kept their composure to deliver victory and progressed in the talent identification Championship.
Siisu Zakaria scored a sensational 25-yard free kick in the 52nd minute to put his side in front before the Championship leading top scorer, Musah Ahmed Sharafadeen, added the second seven minutes later.
Weyiawo Francis' 93rd minute consolation was not enough as Central Region finished bottom in Group A.
Musah Ahmed Sharafadeen, who is the leading top scorer with four goals so far, was adjudged the Most Valuable Player (MVP).
Volta Region will overtake Northern at the top if they beat Brong Ahafo Region in Saturday's second group A game. Kick off 15:00GMT (3pm local time).
The result of the match will be inconsequential as both Volta and Northern Regions have secured passage to the last four of the Championship from Group A.
The matches of the Championships are being telecast live to various platforms including the GFA Official Facebook page and Max TV.
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 the Championship which is aimed at identifying, training and developing young talents for the national youth teams.
GFA Communications