A photo-finish was required to separate the 22-year-old Osu native, who won the 2017 edition of the same event, from second-placed Abinon Ayen and third-placed Michael Agbugblah after the three riders completed the 26-lap course within microseconds of each other in a time of 3:3:56 seconds.

But for the early celebration of Togolese Ayen, who raised his hands off his bicycle handlebar before crossing the finish line of the 81-kilometre criterium road race (a bike race consisting of several laps around a closed circuit), pre-race favourite Akuffo would have placed second.

Amid wild celebrations from residents of the Osu Anorhor community who were out to cheer their clansman, Akuffo told the Daily Graphic that his best quality as a cyclist was his ability as a sprinter and he was glad that it won him the race.

He said he felt the weight of the expectant crowd during the race but used it as a motivation to win.

"As I headed towards the finishing line, I did what I did best, which is sprinting, and it won me the title. You have to cross before raising your hands; someone has won a race from me in a similar fashion before and the Togolese has to work on that in future races," an excited Akuffo said.

Akuffo received a GH¢1,000 cash prize, as well as assorted Cowbell products and souvenirs from the sponsor, Promasidor Ghana Limited. Ayen and Agbugblah also received products, as well as GH¢700 and GH¢500, respectively, for their efforts.

The second stage of the 2019 Cowbell Cycling Challenge Homowo Edition comes off on August 31 at Prampram.