The University for Development Studies (UDS) is making the headlines at the ongoing Federation of International University Sports (FISU) University World Cup Football Tournament in Dalian, China, with a remarkable unbeaten run, which has landed them in the semi-finals.
The Tamale-based university booked their place in the last four stage yesterday after a stunning 5-2 victory over South Korea’s Kyungil University, thanks to an electrifying hat-trick from Augustine Frimpong and a brilliant brace from Alhassan Zakaria.
That emphatic victory solidified UDS’s status as one of the standout teams in this year’s tournament.
Highlights
UDS showed early dominance, opening the scoring in the sixth minute through Frimpong, followed by an assist from Alhassan Zakaria.
UDS striker, Augustine Frimpong, with the match ball after scoring a hatrick against the Koreans
Zakaria doubled the lead in the 13th minute and struck again with a superb free kick in the 26th.
However, the South Koreans pulled a goal back in the 31st minute against the run of play.
After recess, Frimpong extended UDS’ lead with a 52nd-minute header and sealed his hat-trick in the 72nd minute, before the South Koreans grabbed a late consolation in the 79th minute.
The Ghanaian goalkeeper, Emmanuel Edo, made some decisive saves in the 58th and 61st minutes to secure the victory for UDS.
UDS will now face Spain’s University of Granada in the semi-finals on Friday.
Group stage
UDS, debutantes at the global stage, took the tournament by storm and topped a tough Group C with seven points.
The Ghanaian side began their dramatic journey with a shocking 2-1 victory over University of Sharjah of the UAE in their group opener, before thrashing Ramon Llull University of Spain 4-1 to put qualification beyond doubt.
That notwithstanding, they played a determined game to hold defending champions, Paulista University of Brazil, to a gruelling 1-1 draw in the last group match to finish undefeated, making a strong statement ahead of the knockout stages.
Having scored the highest number of goals in the tournament so far (12 goals and conceding 5), UDS ranks among the favourites to lift the trophy.
The team’s attacking force, led by Frimpong and Zakaria, Alhassan Ezideen and Fawzan Dandawa, has proven to be one of the most lethal combinations in the competition.
Alhassan Zakaria leads the scorers’ chart with four goals in three appearances.
In an interview, an elated Head Coach of UDS, Ibrahim Tanko, who doubles as the President of the Ghana University Sports Association (GUSA), said: “The team was determined to keep its historic run alive and push for a place in the final.
We will not be complacent, but will rather work very hard to raise the flag of Ghana and Africa high,” he assured.
Expectations
In the other semi-final, the reigning champions, Paulista University of Brazil, will face University Chouaib Doukkali of Morocco.
The Moroccan side, which was given a white card to participate in the tournament, also remains unbeaten, having narrowly survived a penalty shootout (4-3) against the University of Auckland (New Zealand) after a 2-2 draw in regulation time.
With both UDS and University Chouaib Doukkali of Morocco still in contention, Africa’s representation at this year’s tournament has been formidable.
UDS, in particular, have captured attention with their fearless display and unmatched goal tally.
Meanwhile, other strong contenders remain in the mix, maintaining the competitive edge of the tournament.
The Spaniards, on the other hand, came from behind to edge out the University of Split 3-2 in their quarter-final, showcasing their resilience.
But against UDS’ attacking firepower, Granada face a herculean task.
On Friday, all eyes will be on whether Ghana’s UDS can extend their unbeaten streak to edge closer to making history in the final on Sunday.
Background
UDS qualified for the FISU tournament after emerging as champions at the African Championship held in Lagos, Nigeria, in September 2024.
Friday’s semi-finals fixtures:
Paulista University (Brazil) vs University Chouaib Doukkali (Morocco)
University for Development Studies (GHA) vs University of Granada (ESP)