Ejisu and Amakom have become the first two sides to book their places in the money zone of the MTN Ashantifest Community Soccer competition after both amassing five points apiece in Zone A which kicked off the 2023 tournament on Saturday.

Action from Ejisu vs Amakom decider

Ejisu, the first team from outside Kumasi to play in this tournament as it expanded to involve an unprecedented 16 sides this term, made sure their journey to the Asem Boys School Park was worth every mile after pipping Amakom to top spot on goals scored after the two sides posted identical results after 3 games each on Saturday and Sunday.

Ejisu started brightly with a 1-0 victory over Asafo in their opening game before holding Fante New Town to a 1-1 draw in their second game, both played on Saturday.

On Sunday, Ejisu then settled for another 1-1 stalemate against Amakom which proved enough to win their section after scoring 3 goals and conceding two.

Amakom finished second and will also represent Zone A in the quarter finals

Amakom of course took the runner-up spot after also beating Asafo 1-0 but their opening goalless draw against Fante New Town meant they fell one goal shot of Ejisu’s tally on two against one conceded.

Fante New Town finished unbeaten but three draws and the 3 points it garnered were not enough to grab a qualifying ticket whereas Asafo finished rock bottom on the sole point they earned in frustrating Fante New Town to a goalless stalemate in the final game of Zone A.

Ejisu and Amakom will now have to wait to find out which 6 other sides will join them in the next phase of the now 2-month long annual competition staged by the MTN sponsors to reach out and reward their huge subscriber base in the Ashanti Region.

Zone B gets the action to determine their two representatives for the last 8 underway this weekend at the Dichemso Otumfuor Park featuring Aboabo, Dichemso, Ashtown and Krofrom.

Defending champions, Tafo will fight for a qualifying ticket in Zone C against Bantama, Suame and Abrepo at the State Girls Kokoase Park in Abrepo on June 30 and July 1.

For Zone D which has Adum, Santasi, Kwadaso and Atonso, the decisive weekend is July 7-8 at the Atonsu Astro Turf Park.