Baakoniaba, Odumase clash in MTN Suncity Festival gala final

Baakoniaba edged Area Two 4-2 on penalties, while Odumase secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Penkwase to set up an exciting final of the 2026 MTN Suncity Festival inter-community football gala in Sunyani.

The Twene Amanfo Senior High/Technical School Park at Area Two in Sunyani came alive on Saturday, October 10, 2026, as four community teams battled for places in the grand finale of the competition.

In the first semi-final, Baakoniaba kept their composure to defeat Area Two 4-2 on penalties after both sides were unable to score in regulation time.

The encounter produced an entertaining display of football, with both teams creating scoring opportunities in their quest to secure a place in the final.

Area Two dominated large spells of the game, mounting sustained pressure on their opponents and creating several chances. However, Baakoniaba's goalkeeper made several crucial saves to frustrate the hosts and keep his side in contention.

With neither team able to break the deadlock after 90 minutes, the match proceeded to a penalty shootout, where Baakoniaba converted four kicks against Area Two's two to book their place in Sunday's final.

In the second semi-final, Odumase secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Penkwase to complete the final pairing.

The victory set up a showdown between Baakoniaba and Odumase on Sunday afternoon, October 11, to determine the champions of this year's MTN Suncity Festival inter-community football gala.

Promoting unity
Speaking in an interview on the sidelines of the competition, the Bono Regional Manager of MTN Ghana, Mr Kofi Owusu, said the tournament formed part of the company's commitment to giving back to society and strengthening relationships with communities.

He said football provided an effective platform for bringing people together, promoting unity and fostering closer ties between MTN and its customers.

Mr Owusu noted that the competition also offered young footballers an opportunity to showcase their abilities, adding that some football clubs had taken advantage of the tournament to identify promising talents.

“We think that we are creating a platform for the youth to showcase their talents, which is very remarkable,” he said.

He urged the participating youth to take the competition seriously and participate actively to maximise the opportunities it offered.

The Chief Executive Officer of Suncity FM in Sunyani, Mr Ransford Antwi, also commended MTN Ghana for sustaining the initiative, describing the tournament as an important platform for discovering football talents and strengthening relationships among communities.

He cited footballers such as Saddick Adams and Baba Mahama as examples of talents associated with such competitions over the years.

According to him, the gala had helped to promote cohesion and brotherliness among participating communities in and around Sunyani, while also providing players with some financial benefits.

Appreciation
Mr Antwi expressed appreciation to MTN Ghana for its generosity, innovation and commitment to community development, and urged the telecommunications company to sustain the initiative.

He further praised the players for their discipline and sportsmanship throughout this year's competition, describing the matches as exciting and the organisation as encouraging.

The MTN Suncity Festival combines entertainment, community engagement and customer appreciation, with the inter-community football gala serving as one of its major attractions.

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