Western Region recorded a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Upper West Region in the opening Group A fixture of Matchday 5 at the MTN Elite U-19 Championship on Monday, August 31, 2026.

The closely contested encounter at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram appeared to be heading towards a goalless draw until Emmanuel Antwi produced the decisive moment late in the game.

Antwi struck in the 80th minute to break the deadlock and hand Western Region a narrow but important victory over their determined opponents.

His match-winning contribution earned him the Most Valuable Player award after an impressive individual performance.

In the second Group A fixture, Ashanti Region and Eastern Region played out a fiercely contested goalless draw in regulation time, with the outcome eventually decided by a penalty shootout.

After neither side could find a breakthrough during the match, Ashanti Region held their nerve from the spot to secure a 6-5 victory and claim an important win.

Ashanti Region's Issah Seidu was adjudged the Best Player of the Match following an outstanding performance that helped his side overcome Eastern Region in the tense shootout.

The MTN Elite U-19 championship remains an important pathway for the development of emerging talent across the country. The competition gives young players the opportunity to improve their technical and tactical abilities, test themselves against some of the best talents from other regions and gain valuable experience in a competitive environment.

GFA Communications