Tamale Metropolitan Assembly have won the 5th edition of the Inter District U-13 soccer boys competition – the prestigious Regional Youth Football Tournament, held in Zabzugu.
In a pulsating final, the three time champions beat the host District 4-2 on penalties to win the trophy and became the first side to win the competition four times in just its 5th season.
“This is a big moment for the boys,” former Tamale Utrecht Football Academy coach, Osman Rasheed, said about the feat. “To win the this Cup is a fantastic achievement – it’s only five years participating in the tournament and to defend it for the third year running is fantastic”
He added: “This Cup has a great pedigree in the Northern Region and for my team to once again show their dominance is history for us. The players showed a great amount of character to win the final, and a great sense of belief – you need that in tournaments, playing multiple games in a short space of time. They have proved they are winners.”
Tamale Metro came through six tough matches to win the tournament, including a 6-0 victory over the Chereponi District in their opening match, 2-0 win over Gushegu District, 3-0 win against rivals Sagnarigu Municipal in the quarter finals and a 1-0 victory over North Gonja District in the semi-finals.
The final was watched by a crowd of 2,000, including a large contingent from the Zabzugu community in and students of Zabzugu Senior High School. The tournament, which was organized by Northern Region Basic Schools Sports Association, was attended by the Northern Regional Director of Education, Mr Edward K. Azure, the DCE for Zabzugu, Hon. Ahmed Abubakari Iddrisu and the Dep Regional Minister, Hon. John Jabal Binnam.
It was a match full of tension with Tamale Metro dominating possession and creating a series of chances. But resolute defending from the host kept the score locked at 1-1 in normal time. A penalty shoot-out followed, with the young team from Tamale coming out on top after four successful penalty kicks.
Tamale Metro now heads to the Super Zonal to test themselves against some of the best sides from the Northern Region, including Kpandia District, Sagnarigu Municipal and losing finalist Zabzugu District.
North Gonja, Central Gonja, Bole and East Gonja Districts would compete for one slot to represent the Savanna Region while West Mamprusi, East Mamprusi, Bonkrugu and Chereponi Districts also battle for the only slot in the North East Region.
The winners from the Three Regions will be joined by the other Regions across the country for the National U-13 tournament later this year in Kumasi.
By: Sey Mubarick
Wonderful report by all standards.Let’s bring back the love.