Ashanti Region clinched their second KGL U-17 Inter-Regional Championship title with a hard-fought 2–1 win over defending champions Western Region in the grand finale at the McDan Teshie Sports Complex on Saturday, September 27, 2025.
Ashanti stormed into a commanding lead, scoring twice before halftime to seize control of the contest. Western Region rallied after the break, pulling a goal back through Ramzy Duah, but the Ashanti defense held firm to secure a deserved victory and dethrone the reigning champions.
The triumph marks Ashanti’s second crown in the prestigious youth competition. Their maiden title came in 2023, when they defeated Brong Ahafo on penalties in Kumasi. This latest success amplifies the region’s reputation as a hub for elite youth development.
Ashanti’s road to the title was a testament to resilience and consistency. After finishing second in Group B behind Central Region, they eliminated Greater Accra in the semifinals to book their place in the championship match. Their clinical display against Western Region capped a remarkable journey through the nine-day tournament.
Several outstanding individual performers were recognized with awards during the closing ceremony, celebrating the exceptional talent on show throughout the competition.
Greater Accra’s No. 10 Jeremiah Abalo was named Overall Best Player, while Ashanti Region’s Kelvin Baffoe earned the Most Promising Player award. Western Region’s Frank Abu claimed Best Goalkeeper and Ashanti forwards Agyei Duah and Alidu Issah finished as joint top scorers with seven goals each.
GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, KGL Foundation Chief Executive Elliot Dadey, and National Juvenile Committee Chairman JoeSalam Abubakar presented medals and the championship trophy to the triumphant Ashanti squad.
Launched in 2021 and now in its fifth edition, the KGL U-17 Inter-Regional Championship has firmly established itself as Ghana’s premier platform for identifying and nurturing emerging football talent.
The 2025 tournament featured an expanded lineup of 12 teams, comprising all ten Regional Football Associations alongside the two GFA Elite Academies, ensuring both nationwide representation and heightened competitive intensity.
Backed by a landmark five-year, $1 million partnership with the KGL Foundation, the championship plays a central role in the GFA’s grassroots development strategy. It provides a crucial pathway for young players to be scouted, trained, and groomed for Ghana’s national youth teams, while offering Premier League and Division One clubs a fertile ground for talent discovery.
With their victory in Teshie, Ashanti Region are officially crowned champions of the 2025 KGL U-17 Inter-Regional Championship, concluding a thrilling tournament that continues to shape the future of Ghanaian football.
GFA Communications
