MTN Ghana SavannahFest Football Gala saw Gumani FC rise from fourth to champions

MTN Ghana’s 2026 SavannahFest Football Gala reached a dramatic climax on Saturday as Gumani FC completed a remarkable turnaround, defeating Sakasaka FC 2-0 at the NOBISCO Football Park to lift the championship trophy.

Gumani’s triumph marked a stunning transformation from last year, when the team finished fourth. After reflecting on that campaign and returning with improved preparation, the side went all the way this time to claim the coveted title.

The champions walked away with GH¢20,000, while Sakasaka FC received GH¢10,000 as runners-up.

Sabonjida FC secured third place after beating Shishegu FC 1-0 in the playoff, earning GH¢5,000. All participating teams were also presented with trophies and medals.

MTN GHANA’S BIGGER SAVANNAHFEST
The 2026 edition featured 16 teams, double the number that participated in the previous edition, giving more communities an opportunity to compete and showcase their football talent.

MTN Retail Experience Manager for the North, Kwami Aseye Akude, said the expanded participation demonstrated the growing significance of the festival.

He noted that SavannahFest has been running for more than 10 years, with the football gala itself approaching a decade.

GUMANI TURN LESSONS INTO GLORY
Gumani coach Abdul Latif Wakil said the team’s championship was the result of deliberate reflection and improved preparation after last year’s fourth-place finish.

He has also urged MTN Ghana to consider introducing football scouts at future editions to identify outstanding players who could secure opportunities with professional clubs locally and internationally.

Wakil said Gumani’s GH¢20,000 prize money would be handed to community leaders to collectively determine how it should be used for the benefit of the team and community.

SAVANNAHFEST CELEBRATES MTN GHANA AT 30

The football gala brought the curtain down on a month-long SavannahFest celebration organised as part of MTN Ghana’s 30th anniversary.

The festival featured a range of activities, including a football gala, music concert, community clean-up, health walk and free health screening.

The music concert at the Modern City Hotel featured performances from Fancy Gadam, King Ayisoba and Samini, while the health activities brought together MTN staff and members of keep-fit clubs.

The anniversary celebration was held under the theme “30 Years of Progress, Powered by You, Our Customers.”

With Gumani FC now crowned champions, MTN Ghana says it is looking ahead to making the next edition of SavannahFest bigger and better.