MSK Zilina Africa claimed the Boys’ Division title with a late 1-0 victory over hosts Cheetah FC, while Nigeria’s FEFCAN Ladies edged Ghana’s Value Girls by the same scoreline to win the Girls’ Division at the 2026 Cheetah Cup.
The 2026 Cheetah Cup concluded at Yartel Okoso Park, popularly known as the Predators Den, in Senya Beraku, Central Region, on August 23, 2026 . Held from August 16 to 23, the tournament brought together youth football clubs from 13 African countries across eight days of intense action .
Boys’ Division: MSK Zilina Africa Complete Redemption Arc
MSK Zilina Africa were crowned champions of the Boys’ Division after edging hosts Cheetah FC 1-0 in a dramatic final . The decisive moment came in the 86th minute when MSK Zilina Africa found the breakthrough to settle a tightly contested final and deny the host side the ultimate prize on home soil .
📢 GET A DETAILED ARTICLES + JOBS
Join ASJ's WhatsApp Channel and never miss a post or opportunity.
The victory marks a significant achievement for MSK Zilina Africa, who went one step further after finishing as runners-up in the 2025 edition of the tournament. Last year, they drew 0-0 with Nacoro Sporting Academy before suffering a 5-4 defeat in the ensuing penalty shootout . A year later, they returned with renewed determination and produced the crucial moment when it mattered most .
For Cheetah FC, who had enjoyed strong home support throughout the tournament, the defeat brought a disappointing end to their campaign on home territory .
Girls’ Division: FEFCAN Ladies Make History
In the Girls’ Division final, Nigeria’s FEFCAN Ladies made history by capturing their maiden title, edging out Ghana’s Value Girls 1-0 in a tense final .
It was a landmark occasion, with Ghana and Nigeria represented in an all-West African showdown that promised to be a celebration of emerging women’s football talent . The Nigerian side produced a disciplined and determined performance to claim the trophy, ending a memorable campaign with victory in a final that brought together two teams making their maiden appearances in the Cheetah Cup final .
Value Girls, despite their best efforts, were unable to find the breakthrough as FEFCAN Ladies remained composed under pressure and protected their advantage until the final whistle .
Tournament Statistics at a Glance
The 2026 edition delivered exceptional defensive structure alongside clean tactical setups across its 32 total matches :
| Statistic | Count |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 32 |
| Goals Scored | 45 |
| Yellow Cards | 61 |
| Red Cards | 3 |
| Home Wins | 14 |
| Away Wins | 8 |
| Draw Games | 11 |
| Penalties Awarded / Scored | 4 / 4 |
Individual Award Winners
Boys’ Division :
-
Best Player of the Tournament: Curtis Kalaba Boateng (Cheetah FC)
-
Goal King (Top Scorer): Owen Fafa (Cheetah FC)
-
adidas Golden Glove: Shadrach Adjei (MSK Zilina Africa)
Girls’ Division :
-
Best Player of the Tournament: Esther Stephen (FEFCAN Ladies, Nigeria)
-
Golden Boot (Top Scorer): Daniella Abass (Value Girls) — netted two goals across the tournament
-
Best Goalkeeper: Nana Ama Duodu (Value Girls)
Special Recognitions:
-
Dagudu Prosper (Emmanuel City)
-
Ismail Lamptey (President of MSK Zilina Africa)
Notable Match Highlights
-
First Goal of Cheetah Cup 2026: Razak Sulemana etched his name into tournament folklore by scoring the very first goal of the competition for Peak Elite FC during their match against Samartex FC.
-
Fastest Goal: Recorded by Kwabena Obeng, who found the back of the net in just 5 minutes against Pan African FC.
-
Opening Day Trend: Matchday 1 set a hyper-competitive tone with 8 matches yielding 8 goals and 7 yellow cards, showcasing massive tactical deadlock where 5 out of the 8 opening fixtures ended in draws.
What It Means
MSK Zilina Africa’s journey from runners-up in 2025 to champions in 2026 represents one of the tournament’s most compelling redemption stories . For the Girls’ Division, FEFCAN Ladies’ victory marked the first time the trophy crossed the border to Nigeria, underlining the growing strength of women’s youth football across West Africa .
The 2026 tournament, which marked its fifth anniversary, further strengthened the Cheetah Cup’s reputation as a platform for emerging football talent from across the continent
Source: Accra Street Journal
Last Updated on August 30, 2026 by Samuel Kwame Boadu
🏟️ Discover More Sports Stories
Looking for more in-depth sports news, interviews, and features? Visit Accra Sports News — your go-to for exclusive sports content in Ghana and beyond.
Disclaimer: Some content on Accra Street Journal may be aggregated, summarized, or edited from third-party sources for informational purposes. Images and media are used under fair use or royalty-free licenses. Accra Street Journal is a subsidiary of SamBoad Publishing Hub under SamBoad Business Group Ltd, registered in Ghana since 2014.
For concerns or inquiries, please visit our Privacy Policy or Contact Page.
Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Accra Street Journal, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.
