Eastern Region were crowned champions of the inaugural MTN Elite U19 Championship after holding their nerve to defeat Brong Ahafo 4–2 on penalties in a final at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram on Sunday.
The much-anticipated finale ended goalless after regulation time, but the Eastern lads showed remarkable composure during the shootout to claim a famous victory and etch their names in the competition’s history books.
It was a night of redemption for midfielder Desmond Tutu, who missed two penalties during open play but watched with relief as his teammates calmly converted four of their five spot-kicks.
Goalkeeper Ishmael Azagonor proved the hero between the posts, pulling off two crucial saves to hand Eastern Region the title and ignite jubilant celebrations on the touchline.
Head coach Kelvin Agyemang Tuffuor’s side were rewarded for their consistency and discipline throughout the 11-day tournament, having topped their group and navigated tough knockout tests.
The championship also honoured outstanding individual performances.
Yussif Saani of Greater Accra claimed both the Most Valuable Player and Goal King Awards after scoring five goals in six matches, while Eastern Region’s Ishmael Azagonor and Prince Boakye were named Best Goalkeeper and Most Promising Player, respectively.
The MTN Elite U19 Championship, which ran from October 23 to November 2, 2025, featured ten regional teams and served as a vital platform for Ghana’s emerging footballers to showcase their potential.
