Osu wins Duku Festival football tournament
Team Osu defeated Team Mayera 9-8 on penalties to be crowned champions of the 2025 Osu Duku Festival football tournament at the Osu Salem Park over the weekend.
After playing to a pulsating 1-1 draw, with Osu going ahead through Nii Kwei Kotey in the 68th minute via a penalty kick, Mayera struck the equalizer two minutes from the end via a penalty kick from James Owusu.
In the shootout, James Owusu and Michael Tabi missed for Mayera, while Godfred Ardeyfio scored the decisive kick to land them the trophy, medals, plus the GH¢10,000 prize money. Mayera went home with GH¢5,000 plus medals.
The best player award went to Samuel Laryea from Nungua, while the best goalkeeper went to Richmond Quacoo from Osu, with both Elisha Owusu from Mayera and Nii Koi Kotey from Osu emerging as goal kings with three goals apiece.
In the girls’ category, played earlier on, Osu defeated Adabraka 8-7 on penalties to take home the winner’s trophy, medals, and a cash prize of GH¢15,000, while Mayera defeated Nungua 1-0 to pick GH¢10,000 for the third spot.
Esther Asamoah of Adabraka was adjudged the best player, with Annabel Bansah and Amanda Mills, both of Osu, winning the best goalkeeper and the goal queen awards of the tournament.
According to the organiser of the tournament, Mr. Thomas Amoako Boafo, the most valuable players selected from this year’s tournament will be given opportunities to have trials with some local sides and, if possible, some foreign youth clubs.
He revealed that he decided to involve the girls this time round to empower and build them up while reducing the boys’ category to U-14 because of previous experiences where players selected for trials did not make the mark due to many factors, including age.
BY RAYMOND ACKUMEY
