Cape Coast, Ghana – The University for Development Studies (UDS) displayed a masterclass performance in the finals of the women’s football competition at the 2024 Ghana University Sports Association (GUSA) Games, hosted by the University of Cape Coast (UCC). UDS emerged victorious with an emphatic 5-1 win over the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), to claim the coveted gold medal.

The scintillating encounter began on a balanced note, with both teams testing each other’s defensive lines in the early minutes. However, the deadlock was broken in the 7th minute when Ayisha Yakubu Wunzooya, donning the number 21 jersey, capitalized on a loose ball. With remarkable composure, she slipped the ball past the onrushing UEW goalkeeper to give UDS an early lead.

Not one to back down, the UEW ladies ramped up the pressure on UDS, forcing defensive errors. Their persistence paid off in the 20th minute with a well-taken equalizer, igniting hope among their fans. The goal, however, awakened the UDS team, who immediately switched gears, launching relentless attacks on the UEW defense.

In the 40th minute, a UEW defender, under immense pressure, fouled a UDS attacker in the penalty area. Memuna Bugri stepped up confidently and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way, restoring UDS’ lead with a precise strike into the bottom right corner. Just two minutes later, a brilliant midfield combination between Iklima Amadu and Ayisha Yakubu saw Amadu slot home from close range, extending UDS’ lead to 3-1 by halftime.

The second half began with UDS asserting total dominance. Their flawless ball control and precision passing left the UEW ladies chasing shadows. In the 54th minute, Alimah Mbamba capitalized on a perfectly timed long ball from center-back Ruwaida, beating the offside trap and firing a shot past the helpless UEW goalkeeper to make it 4-1.

Mbamba wasn’t done yet. In the 69th minute, she punished a defensive error by UEW, dribbling past a defender and finishing from six yards to register her second goal of the match and UDS’ fifth. The commanding display ensured UDS ladies were crowned 2024 GUSA women’s football champions.

Key dignitaries among the UDS supporters included the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Eliot Alhassan; the Registrar, Mr. Nurudeen Issah Abubakar; the Director of Sports, Mr. Shaibu Tanko; the Director of Health Services, Dr. Bawa A. Abdulai; the Deputy Director of Finance, Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu; the Head of the Main Registry, Alhaji Yussif Abdallah; the Head of Welfare, Dr. Isaac Dramani; the Vice President of GRASAG, Mr. Sumaila Seini; and the Central Regional Chairperson of the UDS Alumni Association, Madam Alimatu Sadia.

With this victory, UDS has firmly established itself as a powerhouse in university women’s football, celebrating their triumph in style amidst roaring cheers from their supporters.

Story by: Abdul-Hayi Moomen & Abdul Ganiyu Hussein