Ghanaian youth football side Accra Shooting Stars FC have been crowned champions of the 2026 Gothia Cup B18 category after defeating Ireland’s Newbridge Town FC 2-1 in a thrilling final at Gamla Ullevi.
The Ghanaian team delivered an impressive performance throughout the encounter, controlling large portions of the game and creating several opportunities before eventually breaking the deadlock in the 18th minute.
After Newbridge goalkeeper Cian Rushe saved Karim Mohammed’s powerful long-range strike, Daniel Opoku reacted quickly to fire home the rebound and give Accra Shooting Stars a deserved lead.
Newbridge Town returned from the break with renewed energy and levelled the score through Josh Hamilton’s penalty, setting up a tense finish between the two sides.
However, Accra Shooting Stars remained composed and continued to impose themselves on the match. Their persistence paid off when Opoku completed his brace following a well-worked attacking move, restoring Ghana’s lead and putting the team on course for victory.
Despite late pressure from the Irish side, the Ghanaian team showed strong defensive organisation and discipline to protect their advantage and secure the prestigious Gothia Cup trophy.
Opoku was the standout performer in the final, earning the Final Most Valuable Player (MVP) award after his two-goal contribution played a decisive role in the historic triumph.
Reflecting on the victory, the young forward credited the team’s success to hard work, discipline and faith.
“I planned it and God made it happen. I am very grateful for this opportunity and I also want to thank our supporters. We were compact, organised and calm on the ball. We applied everything we learnt in training, and we deserved to win,” he said.
The achievement represents another significant milestone for Ghanaian youth football, highlighting the country’s wealth of emerging talent and its growing influence on the international stage.
Accra Shooting Stars’ success at one of the world’s most recognised youth football tournaments is expected to inspire more young Ghanaian players and further strengthen the country’s reputation for producing quality footballers.
