High-flying Paga Afeni FC have finally grabbed promotion to the national first division championship after finishing as winners of the 2022/23 Upper East Regional Division Two Middle League.
The Gwaare-based side defied all odds to secure this qualification despite fending off stiffer and tougher oppositions to preserve a trend that has existed since 2016 that, only clubs Zone 2 always cruise into Division One.
Coach Bukari Salifu's men exhibited a five star display to finish as the conquerors in the zonals with 20 points, accumulated from six wins from nine games, two draws and two defeats.
They kept solid seven clean sheets, signifying how malleable and influential their goalkeeper's coach Tahiru Mohammed Ibrahim Wekem has been to their recent-achieved success.
Fast-forward to the main event, Paga Afeni FC patched up the few cracks in the team and lifted the ante to record a stellar unbeaten run to win the promotional tournament.
They started off their campaign on a blistering note after coming from a goal down to narrowly edge Bolga FC in the opening game to end their invincibility since they were the only unbeaten side after zonal championships.
Ten-man Afeni got held by stubborn Tilli Aware Stars to a 1-1 stalemate before wrapping up the qualification with an emphatic 0-2 win over Bolga Soccer Stars, kind courtesy goals from Tophic Ayamga and Jacob Sofo.
The promotion is really huge to Paga Afeni FC and the people Gwaare who wouldn't wait to enjoy first division football.
They will compete in Division One, Zone One in the 2023/24 season and are working on adopting the new Bolga Stadium as their home grounds.
