Ghana’s UDS Crowned World University Champions, A Historic First for Africa

African university football reached a new height on Sunday as Ghana’s University for Development Studies (UDS) stunned Brazil’s Paulista University 2-1 to win the FISU World University Football Tournament.

The Tamale-based side became the first African team ever to lift the trophy, etching their name into continental football history.

UDS showed remarkable resilience after Gabriel Viera scored against them inside the opening 30 seconds.

Captain Mohammed Sulemana brought them level with a stoppage-time strike, before Ezedeen Alhassan’s stunning goal from a corner in extra time sealed a famous comeback win.

The victory came just days after UDS had battled past Spain’s University of Granada on penalties in the semifinals, with goalkeeper Emmanuel Edo emerging the hero.

Fans across Ghana and Africa have celebrated UDS’s triumph, hailing it as proof that the continent’s student football can compete and win on the global stage.