In this next quarter-final clash, Tamale SHS, the only school holding the fort for the Northern region faces two schools, University Practice SHS from the Central Region and KNUST SHS from the Ashanti region.

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The Northern regional flame in the ongoing NSMQ 2017 has been snuffed out. Tamale SHS is out.

Tamale SHS duo - Yunus and Zuweiba are finding it difficult to leave the stage. The neutrals were rooting for them after an awe-inspiring performance from Zuweiba and later from Yunus.

The loss is hard to accept - only one point seperates the winner.

It's University Practice that makes it to the semis after Godswill answers the tie-breaker in a split second.

Sudden death from a single shot as the tie between University Practice and Tamale SHS needs to be broken.

What a pulsating round! Yunus from Tamale SHS steps up for his school to answer riddles with ligthening speed as University Practice SHS look shell shocked. The audience is clapping. Some are chanting 'Zuweira! Zuweira! Zuweira'. She hugs her partner Yunus for his effort.

University Practice: 48pts

Tamale SHS: 48pts

KNUST SHS: 33pts

Strong show from all three schools. University Practice is still leading as we enter the final round. Their supporters are growing louder after a Zuweiba scare.

University Practice: 48pts

Tamale SHS: 35pts

KNUST SHS: 33 pts

We move to the Fourth Round. Is a Trueor False section where a wrong answer attracts a one point deduction, a correct answer gets 2 pts. If you are quiet, you are safe.

Third Round results

University Practice SHS: Gets 3 pts including a free one point

Tamale SHS:  "On humanitarian grounds", I am giving you 1 out of 10 - Quiz mistress

KNUST SHS:"On humanitarian grounds", I am giving you 1 out of 10 after scoring 1 pt - Quiz  mistress

And so after three rounds, the scores are...

University Practice SHS: 32

Tamale SHS: 22

KNUST SHS: 20

Third Round is Problem of the Day - a Physics question - with a rewarding 10 pts for the schools. Who will use this opportunity to lead in the 3rd round? Tamale SHS need all 10 to restore lead and hope the two boys schools don't get even a point - needless to say this is highly unlikely.

At the end of the second round, Tamale SHS surrenders its first round lead to the Cape Coast university-based University Practice SHS. Tamale SHS star Zuweiba endured a quiet second round.

Photo credit: Primetime company ltd

End of Seconf Round

University Practice SHS : 29pts

Tamale SHS: 21pts

KNUST SHS: 18pts

In the second round, the two boys schools appear to be mounting a spirited comeback. Tamale SHS appear lost after a blistering start. Zuweiba and her team mate Yunus shade away.

Photo credit: Primetime company ltd

End of First Round

University Practice SHS : 17

Tamale SHS, 24

KNUST SHS: 12.

It must be said that Zuweiba is a feared name around here. Oozing with confidence, the audience feel she will get it right than wrong when its her schools turn for a major question or a bonus. The supporters of the two boys schools are quiet so far.

Off we go!: University Practice pick 3pts Tamale SHS picks: 7 pts KNUST start with 2 as they drop points to Tamale SHS. The female student from Tamale SHS is already a household name. You can hear 'Zuweira' whispered in the auditorium. And she gets lots of applause from this enthusiatic audience.

Photo credit: Primetime company ltd

Photo credit: Primetime company ltd

Quiz mistress describes this contest as "a university derby with Tamale [SHS] in between"

KNUST SHS: 'We thank God for how far he has brought us' Are they satisfied already to be here?

Tamale SHS: 'By the grace of God, victory!, the only lady in the contest, Zuwiera, is getting alot of attention from the audience.

University Practice: Our message is short - 'all is well'.

Quiz mistress, Dr. Elsie Effah Kaufmann is ready.

Note that Central and Ashanti regions have the largest number of schools in this quarter-final stage. Seven schools from each region in the 25 schools left after Archbishop Porter Girls' and Aburi Girls' lost to a Central Region-based school, Ghana National College in the first quarter-final clash Thursday.