Penalty drama and big wins mark explosive start to 2026 Honda Championship
The 2026 Honda Football Championship burst into life with a series of thrilling encounters on opening day, as the University of Development Studies (UDS), University of Ghana (UG) and University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (UBIDS) all recorded important victories to set the early pace in the competition.
Played under the floodlights, the opening round of fixtures in Groups A and B delivered a blend of attacking football, late drama and penalty shootout tension, offering a glimpse of what promises to be a fiercely contested tournament.
UBIDS edged past the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) in a closely fought encounter that had to be settled on penalties. Wale Isaac opened the scoring for UBIDS in the 22nd minute, but UMaT responded swiftly through Miracle Boakye, who levelled matters just three minutes later. With neither side able to find a winner in regulation time, the match went to penalties, where UBIDS kept their composure to secure a 3–1 triumph.
In the second fixture, UG delivered a confident and disciplined performance to defeat Tamale Technical University (TaTU) 2–0. Baqi Abdul Wahab broke the deadlock in the 38th minute before Sefa New John doubled the advantage three minutes later. With a two-goal cushion, UG adopted a measured approach after the break, maintaining defensive solidity to comfortably see out the win.
The final match of the day between UDS and Bolgatanga Technical University (BTU) also produced high drama. BTU struck first through Salifu Zida Nafiu in the 13th minute, but UDS responded before half-time, with Adongo Emmanuel restoring parity in the 39th minute. As with the earlier fixture, the contest was decided via penalties after the teams remained level at full time, with UDS emerging 4–2 winners in the shootout.
The opening day’s results underline the competitive balance of this year’s championship, with two of the three matches requiring penalties to determine a winner, while individual brilliance and tactical discipline proved decisive in the other.
Attention now shifts to Day Two, where fixtures include TaTU against UBIDS, UMaT taking on UG, BTU facing University of Professional Studies Accra (UPSA), and the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) meeting UDS, as teams seek to build early momentum.
The 2026 Honda Football Championship is powered by Honda in partnership with Overseas Union Limited, the sole distributors of Honda Motorcycles in Ghana, and is being produced by RITE Sports Services.
