Sakasaka FC and Gumani FC will battle for the MTN SavannahFest 2026 football gala trophy today after securing their places in a dramatic semi-final round at the NOBISCO Football Park in the Sagnarigu Municipality on Friday.
Sakasaka FC booked their place in the final after edging Sabonjida FC 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in regulation time, while Gumani FC produced a more decisive performance, beating Shishegu FC 2-0.
The two victories have set up a mouth-watering final at 3pm today, with both teams now just one match away from lifting the SavannahFest trophy as the festival reaches its climax.
For Sakasaka coach Baba Adini, the penalty shootout victory was particularly significant after a difficult encounter.
“I am very happy about today’s game. I think today’s game was very difficult, but we thank God that we won by a penalty,” he said.
Sakasaka took the lead against Sabonjida before conceding the equaliser in the second half.
Coach Adini admitted that fatigue appeared to have affected his players, but praised them for holding their nerve to secure victory from the spot.
He said the victory has also placed Sakasaka in what he described as the “money zone”, increasing the team’s determination to go all the way.
“So I think we’re supposed to take the cup,” he said.
Sakasaka are also carrying unfinished business into today’s final after reaching the final of last year’s competition without winning the trophy.
“Last year we went to finals, but we didn’t make it. This year I hope that we are going to make it,” Coach Adini said.
He added that the team would return to the drawing board to tighten its defensive structure ahead of the decisive encounter with Gumani.
“We are going to our drawing board and make sure that our defensive structure is settled well before the match,” he said.
Before the main final, Sabonjida FC will face Shishegu FC at 1:30pm in the third-place match, giving both teams an opportunity to end their SavannahFest campaign on a winning note.
The two matches are expected to provide a fitting climax to the 2026 MTN SavannahFest football gala, which brought together 16 teams, significantly expanding the competition as part of MTN’s 30th anniversary celebrations.
With Sakasaka seeking to turn last year’s disappointment into triumph and Gumani aiming to complete the job after their commanding semi-final victory, attention now turns to NOBISCO Football Park for the final battle.
The third-place match kicks off at 1:30pm, followed by the grand final at 3pm.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
