TMFA U-17 Finals: Tamale Real Republicans beat Tamale Great Eagles to emerge Champion
Real Republicans have emerged as Tamale Metro Football Association’s
Juvenile U-17 champions after beating Great Eagles 2-0 in the grand finale on Sunday, 17th July 2022, at the Kaladan Park.
Brilliant brace grabbed by Abdul Rahman Mohammed which included a neatly converted spot kick in the second half condemned Great Eagles to defeat, with Republicans claiming the ultimate glory at stake.
Prior to the final, both clubs put up splendid performances to top their respective groups, necessitating their clash for supremacy on the day.
Given the victory, Republicans will be competing with other champions from various district and Municipal Football Associations at regional level for a sole ticket to represent Northern region in the U-17 National championship which was introduced last year by the GFA.
The grand finale which was a renewed rivalry epic clash between old foes, attracted record massive attendance at the Kaladan Park from local fans for the first time in a long while.
Several dignitaries from the Football Fraternity were also heavily present to witness the colorful grand finale. Among them included, Northern regional Juvenile Committee chairman, Alhassan Yakubu Dawuo, Member of Northern regional Disciplinary Committee Member, Abukari Ganiu, CEO for Tamale City, Mohammed Iddi.
Also present to oversee the success of the final match was the Tamale Metro Football Association Chairman, Abdul Aziz Ramzi and other Exco members.
Delivering a speech after the game, the chairman of Tamale Metro Football Association, commended republicans for their efforts and challenged them to go for the glory after officially declaring them as U-17 champions from the TMFA.
However, he ceased the opportunity to admonish club officials especially coaches, team managers, players to desist from pouring insults and intemperate language on match officials during competitions, adding that the Association is only utilizing the referee at a cheaper fee and is not in strong financial position to pay the them as required, hence pleads with clubs to exhibit discipline towards match officials.
In his remarks, Abukari Ganiu who also serves on the regional Disciplinary Committee, asked the players to abstain from hard drugs, explaining that taking drags at their age will only build them with false hope in the near future.Therefore, urges them to focus on exercising natural powers in their football endeavor as is the only way to sustain them for a very long time in the game.
The Northern Regional Juvenile Committee chairman, Alhassan Yakubu Dawuo, who represented the NRFA chairman, commended TMFA for successful competition. He also lauded Republicans and Eagles for holding the forth high to reach the final and challenged republicans to prove a point by snatching a slot to represent Northern region at the national level.
The veteran coach further advised the champions not to relent on their efforts by abandoning training ahead of the competition. According to him, halting training programs with the players at this time will ruin their entire efforts and season’s plan, thus urged the technical persons at Republicans not to stop their routine training arrangements.
Republicans were awarded with glorious trophy plus 5 Footballs and a sum of 400 Ghana Cedis as champions. While Second place best team, Great Eagle received 200 Ghana Cedis plus three footballs.
At the end of competition, Republicans player, Abdul Rahaman Mohammed, who is a joint top scorer with 6 goals in his name in U-17 competition was adjudged as the best player and awarded accordingly.