In a pulsating finale at the 2025 World University Games in Dalian, China, Ghana’s University for Development Studies (UDS) etched a landmark achievement by defeating defending champions Paulista University of Brazil 2-1 in extra time.
The match, witnessed by a roaring crowd of nearly 23,000, showcased the grit of Coach Ibrahim Tanko’s squad as they overcame an early setback to become the first African team to lift the prestigious FISU World University Football Cup. This victory not only crowns UDS as global university football kings but also ignites national pride across Ghana, highlighting the rising prowess of student-athletes from the continent.
VIDEO: UDS Beats Brazil in World University Games Final 2025
The game kicked off with a nightmare for UDS, as Brazilian forward Gabriel Viera exploited a defensive error just 30 seconds in, lobbing the ball over goalkeeper Emmanuel Edo to silence the Ghanaian supporters. Undeterred, UDS swiftly regrouped, dominating possession and peppering the Paulista goal with chances, though sharp finishing eluded them through regulation time. The Tamale-based side’s relentless pressure finally paid off in the 92nd minute of stoppage time, when winger Frimpong’s driven shot was parried into the path of captain Asigre Sulemana, who slotted home the equalizer to force extra time and spark wild celebrations among the bench.
As the additional period unfolded, both teams traded blows in a high-stakes chess match, with Paulista’s goalkeeper Silva denying UDS multiple times through acrobatic saves. The breakthrough arrived in the 121st minute from a well-worked corner routine, where a pinpoint delivery found an unmarked UDS player to head home the winner, sending the stadium into frenzy.
This late surge exemplified the squad’s unyielding spirit, turning a potential heartbreak into a story of redemption and tactical brilliance under immense pressure.The triumph has reverberated far beyond the pitch, drawing effusive praise from Ghana’s Ministry of Education and Sports Minister Kofi Adams, who hailed the team as a beacon of discipline, teamwork, and excellence for young Ghanaians.
