Kyiwie powers U/W to Airtel Rising Stars finals

Diminutive striker Aaron Kyiwie last Sunday inspired Upper West Team A to victory in Zone 3 of the Airtel Rising Stars competition held at the Wa All Stars Stadium.

Kyiwie, popularly called “Messi” by his teammates, scored three goals to seal qualification for his side into the national finals slated for August 29-30 in Sunyani .

The 14-year-old was also named the overall best male player of the tournament by the technical committee headed by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Technical Director, Francis Oti Akenten, after displaying sublime skills, pace and maturity throughout the competition.

Upper West Team A picked up six points from three games to finish tops, while Brong Ahafo Team B took home the silver medal as the second-placed team, with Upper West Team B winning the bronze medal.

In the girls division, Upper West Region whipped their Brong Ahafo counterparts by three unanswered goals, with their goalie Issahaku Bilkisu emerging the overall best player after producing several gravity- defying saves for her side to win the game.

The Northern Zonal Business Manager of Airtel Ghana, Mr Kwame Osafo Amoah, said he was impressed with the standard of football displayed by the teams and urged the champions to continue with preparations for the national finals.

The finals of the this year’s Airtel Rising Stars will be the first time Brong Ahafo has failed to secure qualification.

The Airtel Rising Stars competition moves to Tamale from August 15 to 16 and will feature teams from the Upper East and Northern regions.

The train then heads down to Denu in the Volta Region for the Zone 4 competition between the Volta and Greater Accra regions on August 23 and 24.