Bantama has been crowned champions of this year’s MTN Ashantifest Community Gala, which ended at the Otumfuo Park in Dichemso on Sunday after defeating Amakom by a 3:2 margin.
The five-goal thriller was a delight to watch as both teams displayed great footballing skills to entertain the hundreds of football enthusiasts that thronged the venue.
Bantama scored the first goal in the 27th minute through Nana Yaw, but Amakom fought back and promptly equalised in the 37th minute with a Baba Kyeremanteng’s own goal.
Bantama dominated the rest of the first half but failed to take advantage of their dominance as the half ended with the game pegged at 1:1.
Bantama returned from the break with the same intensity and immediately reclaimed the lead in the 47th minute after Agogo took advantage of a defensive blunder to score from close range.
Just when Amakom were pushing for the equaliser, Rashid Metal’s brilliant strike in the 60th minute extended Bantama’s lead to 3-1.
Amakom managed to pull a goal back through Kwabena Boakye in the 80th minute, but that was not enough as Bantama held on to win the game.
For winning the tournament, Bantama walked away with a giant trophy, gold medals, and a cash prize of GHȻ20,000, while Amakom received silver medels and GHȻ10,000 cash prize.
The third place game, which was played before the finals, saw defending champions, Ejisu, defeat new entrants, Adoato, 4-3 on penalties to win bronze as the game ended one all after regulation time.
Kwabena Boateng scored in the 50th minute for Ejisu with a beautiful strike from the edge of the box while Emmanuel Kusi tapped in at close range for Adoato to equalise 10 minutes later to send the game to penalties.
Ejisu received GHȻ5,000 while Adoato, who made a statement as debutants, also had GHȻ3,000 for their efforts.
Berekum Chelsea’s Emmanuel Sarpong ended the tournament as the top scorer with five goals and deservedly also walked away with the best player award, while Bantama’s goalkeeper, Kwadwo Nimako, was adjudged the best goalkeeper.
The best defender award went to Kennedy Kofi Mensah of Amakom with his teammate, Nana Kwame, ‘La Liga’ adjudged the Most Promising or Discovery of the tournament.
The Senior Manager, Brands and Communication at MTN, Germain Nartey, praised the teams for the professionalism and competitiveness displayed over the period.
Source: Benjamin Yamoah -Starr FM
