Ebusua Dwarfs became the first winners of the X1 Energy Drink DOL Super Cup after beating Semper Fi 5-4 on penalties in a dramatic final at Obuasi Len Clay Stadium on Tuesday.
The match finished 1-1 after 90 minutes, with neither side able to find a winning goal during a closely contested encounter. Dwarfs then held their nerve in the shootout to claim the inaugural trophy.
The competition was created to provide Ghana’s Division One clubs with another opportunity to compete at a high level before the start of the new season.
Dwarfs completed an unbeaten campaign on their way to the title. They finished top of Group A with seven points after scoring six goals in the group stage.
Their route to the final included a semi-final victory over Nsuopon Fidelity. The match ended goalless, but Dwarfs prevailed 3-2 in the penalty shootout to secure their place in the championship match.
Semper Fi also impressed throughout the tournament. They won Group B without conceding a goal, drawing 0-0 against both Tamale City and AshantiGold before recording a 1-0 victory over Nsuopon Fidelity.
They reached the final by beating Attram De Visser 1-0 in the semi-finals. Emmanuel Adjei Laryea scored from the penalty spot in the 90th minute to settle that match and send Semper Fi through.
The final produced another tight contest, with both teams showing the competitiveness expected from Ghana’s Division One clubs. After the scores remained level at the end of normal time, the destination of the trophy was decided by penalties.
Dwarfs converted five of their spot-kicks, while Semper Fi scored four, allowing the club to make history as the first name engraved on the X1 Energy Drink DOL Super Cup.
The tournament forms part of X1 Energy Drink’s expanding involvement in Ghanaian football. The brand sponsors the Black Stars and the Division One League, supporting the sport from the national-team level through to the domestic second tier.
The Super Cup gave several of Ghana’s leading Division One sides the chance to compete for silverware while also highlighting the quality and competitiveness within the league.
For Ebusua Dwarfs, the competition ended with the ultimate reward: an unbeaten run, a shootout victory in the final and the distinction of becoming the first club to lift the X1 Energy Drink DOL Super Cup trophy.