Team Mayera has secured qualification to the finals of the 2025 Osu Duku Festival football tournament after defeating Team Nima 8-7 on penalty kicks at the Osu Salem Park over the weekend.The 8-town U-14 tournament, organised as part of activities to usher in the 2025 Osu Homowo festivities, saw Iza Mohammed shoot Nima into the lead midway through the first half, hitting a low grounder past goalkeeper Emmanuel Amu, who was in post for Mayera.Substitute Godfred Osei drew level on 72 minutes with a close-range strike, forcing the game into a shootout.Substitute Suleman Muntari scored the winning penalty kick for Mayera after Ismail Acquah missed for Nima.They will now await the winner of the Team Osu versus Team Nungua second semi-final game on Tuesday for a shot at the GH¢10,000 prize money.In the girls' division, Team Adabraka, who defeated Team Nima 1-0 to book a semi-final berth, defeated Team Mayera 4-2 to move to the finals, awaiting the winner of the Team Osu versus Team Nungua semi-final game on Tuesday.According to the organiser of the tournament, Mr.
Thomas Amoako Boafo, a visual artist, youth activist and philanthropist, the finals will be played on Saturday, August 16th.The winner of the girls' category he stated will receive a trophy, medals, and a cash prize of GH¢15,000, while the second, third, and fourth-placed teams will go home with GH¢10,000, GH¢5,000, and GH¢3,000, respectively, as well as medals.He revealed that he decided to involve the girls this time round to empower and build them up."some of them harbour the desire to play the game at the highest levels, and they need support and encouragement to make it, hence, my decision to give them the platform to showcase their talents for the scouts who are here to scout."He disclosed that the winner of the boys' category will receive a trophy, medal, and an amount of GH¢10,000, with the runners-up taking home GH¢5,000 and GH¢3,000, respectively, plus medals.Mr.
Amoako Boafo revealed that he decided to reduce 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."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."
