Cheetah Cup 2026: 32 Matches, 45 Goals and a New Generation of African Football Stars Shine
The Cheetah Cup 2026 has come to a spectacular conclusion at Yartel Okoso Park, popularly known as the Predators Den, in Senya Beraku in Ghana’s Central Region, following eight days of thrilling youth football, historic achievements and outstanding individual performances.
Held from August 16 to 23, the tournament brought together youth football clubs from 13 African countries, producing 32 matches, 45 goals, 61 yellow cards and three red cards.
The final two matches added three goals and six yellow cards to the tournament’s overall figures, bringing another memorable edition to a close.
General Tournament Statistics
The 2026 Cheetah Cup recorded:
- 32 matches played
- 45 goals scored
- 61 yellow cards
- 3 red cards
- 14 home wins
- 8 away wins
- 11 draws
- 4 penalties awarded
- 4 penalties scored
The figures underline the competitive nature of the tournament, which combined attacking football with intense contests across both the boys’ and girls’ divisions.
Champions Crowned in Both Divisions
In the Girls’ Division, FEFCAN Ladies of Nigeria made history by winning their maiden Cheetah Cup title after defeating Ghana’s Value Girls in a historic Ghana-Nigeria final.
Value Girls finished as runners-up, while CAFIX Ladies claimed third place.
In the Boys’ Division, MSK Zilina Africa completed a remarkable journey from silver to gold.
After finishing runners-up in 2025, MSK Zilina Africa returned to the final in 2026 and this time lifted the trophy after facing Cheetah FC.
The two sides had met last year in the semi-final, with Zilina overcoming the host team to reach the final before eventually losing.
A year later, Cheetah FC and MSK Zilina crossed paths again, this time in the grand finale. The outcome remained unchanged as Zilina once again got the better of their tournament nemesis to claim the title.
Cheetah FC finished runners-up, while Black Man Warriors secured third place.
Owen Fafa Retains Golden Boot
Cheetah FC striker Owen Fafa emerged as the Boys’ Division Goal King after finishing the tournament with four goals.
His achievement was particularly impressive as he retained the award for the second consecutive year, further establishing himself as one of the Cheetah Cup’s leading goalscorers.
Esther Stephen and Curtis Kalaba Boateng Take Top Player Awards
FEFCAN Ladies’ successful title campaign was complemented by individual recognition, with Esther Stephen named the Best Player in the Girls’ Division.
In the Boys’ Division, Cheetah FC’s Curtis Kalaba Boateng received the Best Player award following an outstanding tournament.
The goalkeeper awards went to Nana Ama Duodu of Value Girls in the Girls’ Division and Shadrach Adjei of MSK Zilina Africa in the Boys’ Division.
Daniella Abass of Value Girls was named the Girls’ Division Goal Queen.
Fair Play Recognised
CAFIX Ladies were named the Girls’ Fair Play winners, while FC Samatex received the Boys’ Fair Play Award for their discipline, sportsmanship and respect throughout the competition.
Felix Archer Sets Fastest Goal Record
One of the tournament’s statistical highlights came from Felix Archer, who scored after just two minutes against Mbakasoko FC in Match 13.
The goal broke the previous five-minute record and became the fastest goal of the 2026 Cheetah Cup.
Other milestones included Villarreal CF recording the tournament’s first away victory, while Rafui Yusuf of New Generation FC scored the competition’s first brace.
The tournament also maintained a perfect penalty-conversion record, with all four penalties awarded successfully converted.
A Tournament of History and Opportunity
Beyond the trophies and individual awards, the 2026 Cheetah Cup provided an important platform for young footballers from across Africa to compete, gain exposure and demonstrate their potential.
From FEFCAN Ladies’ maiden championship to MSK Zilina Africa’s transformation from 2025 runners-up to 2026 champions, the tournament produced compelling stories across both divisions.
Cheetah FC also reached their first-ever final, while Owen Fafa became a back-to-back Goal King.
The 2026 edition leaves Senya Beraku with a collection of memorable numbers, champions and emerging stars, while further strengthening the Cheetah Cup’s reputation as an important platform for youth football development in Africa.
32 matches. 45 goals. 13 African countries. Two champions. One unforgettable tournament.
The Predators Den has witnessed another chapter in the Cheetah Cup story — where young talent was given a stage, champions were made, and football brought communities and countries together.