Mandela Academy win Astros tourney

Mandela Soccer Academy were crowned champions of the Astros Invitational tournament after beating Elite FC 3-0 in a thrilling final at the Astros Academy at Dzorwulu in Accra last Sunday.

Gideon Matey fetched a brace, with Samuel Amofa finishing off with a brilliant goal to secure the team’s first ever trophy in a competitive tournament.

The win ensured that Mandela Academy finished the tournament with a 100 per cent record, having beaten three other teams on their way to the final, scoring a record 20 goals and just four in the seven-a-side tournament organised in memory of Zafer Arnout.

Mandela Academy made a winning start against Crystal Palace FC, defeating Shaka Foundation 5-0 and then an 8-1 thrashing of One World FC.

At the end of their masterful display, Gideon Matey emerged the top scorer with nine goals.

Earlier, the junior side of the Academy finished as runners-up of the Under-12 event, losing 1-3 on penalties to their Crystal Palace counterparts after a scoreless game in regulation time.

Mandela Academy’s Prince Asaana Atabiri was crowned the best player of the Under-12 competition but, ironically, lost the top scorer’s award to another player who scored one goal less than Atabiri’s haul of seven.

Last Sunday’s victory was a fitting climax to a successful year for the Academy which was established three years ago to provide sporting and educational opportunities for talented and underprivileged Ghanaian children.