Nkawkaw Salvation Army Primary School etched their name into Ghana’s grassroots football history with a commanding 2-0 victory over Kwabenya Primary School to clinch the 2026 MILO Under-13 Champions League title at the Essipon Stadium last Saturday.

In a contest that showcased the very best of Ghana’s emerging football talent, the Eastern Region side combined discipline, composure and cutting edge — striking once in each half to seal a deserved victory and crown a remarkable campaign.

Having bulldozed their way into the final with a commanding 4-0 semi-final win over Wenchi Methodist Primary, Salvation Army Primary arrived brimming with confidence, and they did not disappoint. Calm under pressure and clinical in front of goals, they controlled key moments of the match to emerge worthy champions.

The victory marks a defining moment, not only for the school but also for Nkawkaw, a town now thrust into the national spotlight as a rising hub of young football talent.

The tournament, one of Ghana’s flagship grassroots competitions, showcased the scale and depth of the country’s emerging football pipeline.

More than 5,000 young players converged for the national finals, drawn from a staggering pool of over 100,000 pupils who participated nationwide through a rigorous three-tier system — district, zonal and national.

Sixteen elite schools ultimately battled it out for honours in a competition staged on the theme: “Education First, Football Always”, reinforcing the critical balance between academic excellence and sporting ambition.

Beyond the action on the pitch, the event carried a strong developmental message.

Hassan Kamal shows off the Overall Best Player award

Nestlé Ghana’s Managing Director, Salomay Avavedor, challenged participants to carry the same determination from the pitch into the classroom, emphasising that education remains the true game-changer in shaping their futures.

The Brands Dairy Manager, Myron Otoo, highlighted the strength of institutional collaboration behind the competition, pointing to partnerships with the Ministry of Education, Ghana Education Service, Ministry of Sports and Recreation, and the Ghana Football Association as key drivers in integrating sports, education and character development.

Adding star power to the occasion, former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan engaged participants through coaching clinics and praised the high level of talent on display. However, he stressed that consistent support and structured development would be key to unlocking the full potential of these young players.

While praising the quality of play, he cautioned that potential alone is not enough.

The future, he noted, will depend on sustained investment and structured support to help these young players realise their promise.

Fellow former captain Stephen Appiah echoed that sentiment, commending Nestlé Ghana’s unwavering commitment to youth development and expressing confidence that such initiatives will strengthen the foundation of Ghana football for years to come.

Amid the celebrations, however, came a pointed reminder of the work still to be done. The coach of the Salvation Army Primary used the moment to appeal for the construction of a stadium in Nkawkaw. Such a facility, he argued, was a critical step to supporting talent development and providing young footballers with the facilities they need to thrive.