A scintillating performance by Bantama ensured they beat the tournament’s favourite, Amakom, 3-2 to win this year’s MTN Ashantifest Community Gala which ended at the Otumfuo Park in Dichemso on Sunday.
The grand finale saw soccer lovers treated to some outstanding football by the two sides in the five-goal thriller.
Both teams started the game on a high note, with several attempts to take an early lead until Bantama destroyed the defense of Amakom with some fluid positional play which ended with Nana Yaw’s brilliant strike to give his side the lead in the 27th minute. The lead lasted for just over 10 minutes before Amakom, who were very steady with their build-up, benefitted from Badu Kyeremanteng’s own goal in his attempt to clear Baba Achie’s strike which hit the post.
Bantama then took over the game with swift passes and long balls into the opponent’s area in an attempt to restore the lead with Emmanuel Sarpong ‘Agogo’ nearly doing so in the 40th minute, but his snapshot went inches off the post.
Bantama returned with same intensity after the break and immediately reclaimed the lead in the 47th minute after Agogo took advantage of a defensive blunder to score at close range. Just when Amakom were trying to respond, Rashid Metal’s brilliant strike in the 60th minute sent the game beyond reach as Bantama led 3-1.
Amakom, however, did not give up as they managed to get a goal back through Kwabena Boakye in the 80th minute to give them hope of getting an equaliser and sending the game to penalties.
Emmanuel Agyemang Badu’s solid defense made it difficult for Amakom to get another goal before referee Juliet Appiah ended the keenly contested game to send Bantama players and fans into wild jubilations. Referee Appiah, who officiated the recently held Democracy Cup between Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak, had another great game despite the tension and pressure from both sides.
Bantama walked away with a giant trophy, a cash prize of GH¢20,000 and gold medals while Amakom received silver and GH¢10,000. The third place game, which was played ahead of 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 walk away with GH¢5000 while Adoato, who made a statement as debutants also had GH¢3000 for their efforts. Berekum Chelsea’s Emmanuel Sarpong ended the tournament as top-scorer with five goals as well as the Best Player while Bantama’s goalkeeper Kwadwo Nimako was the Best Goalkeeper. Best Defender was Kennedy Kofi Mensah of Amakom, with his teammate Nana Kwame ‘La Liga’ adjudged the Most Promising or Discovery of the tournament.
Senior Manager, Brands and Communication – MTN, Germain Nartey, praised the teams for their professionalism and competitiveness displayed over the period. “The level of competition has improved as compared to last year, and we are happy to host a bigger tournament next year,” he stated. MTN, he said, was committed to sports development in the country; and the Ashantifest was a way of giving back to society and engaging loyal customers within the region.