New York, New York, July 17, 2007 -- The 1st Annual Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Challenge Cup Soccer Tournament finishes in
style at Long Island University in Brooklyn, New York. The inaugural event
hosted by Nasare Athletics and Nasare Sports Foundation featured four high
four profile football clubs from New York and New Jersey all vying for a
chance to be crowned "Champions". The represented teams were Bronx Crew FC
(Bronx, NY) Chelsea FC (Bronx, NY), Friends Soccer FC (Newark, NJ) and FC
Manor (Roselle, NJ).
As promised the 1st Annual Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Challenge Cup Soccer
tournament finals were full of excitement as four heavyweight football clubs
went 'toe to toe' in the historical event. The tournament which was held at
Long Island University in Brooklyn took place over a period of five weeks
and garnished much praise from the international community when pictures
were released on the official tournament website www.nasare.com. The event
which was organized and sponsored by Nasare Athletics and the Nasare Sports
Foundation paid tribute to the late Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, one of the
main chieftains of the independence of Ghana. In addition to honoring
Ghana's first president the tournament embodied unity, solidarity, and
camaraderie through sports and entertainment in the African community which
is often not seen in abroad communities. Yet, judging by the success of this
year's tournament there is much hope for the future with Nasare Athletics
and the Nasare Sports Foundation at the helm. Following the championship
game this statement was released by Mr. Nana K. Asare the President and CEO
of Nasare Athletics:
"It's not ironic that's this inaugural event was a huge success, when you
put faith and hard work together everything is possible and that's what this
tournament has demonstrated. It's funny because people in our community are
crying for programs such as these but what they don' t realize is that the
outside community is just as eager to see events like this from us as well
and that's where we as a company have taken the leadership role. We are
very grateful for the confidence the community has given us and look forward
to producing more sports and entertainment events that the whole family can
enjoy. One of our biggest goals is to unite the various African communities
abroad into working, playing and having fun together. I think the foundation
took a huge step in that direction today."
Team Analysis:
FC Manor: 4th Place Team
Coming from a previous tournament win in upstate New York this team came
into the tournament with a very capable squad and of course high hopes.
Possessing one of the best if not the best striking tandems in the
tournament this team gave every team a headache in the prelims. Barring many
injuries perhaps their overall performance could have been better. The team
is lead by Golden Boot Award nominee Charles Acquaye (forward) and Kofi
Ahenkora together the pair is as lethal as they come. Former Asante Kotoko
great Opelee Aboagye made two key appearances for this squad.
Team Roster: George Best (Coach), Terry Baawuah, Frederick Mensah, Emmanuel
Donkor, Charles Sosoo, Seiman Zah, Charles Acquaye, Kofi Ahenkora, Peter
Ababio, Ebenazer Dickson, James Tuffour, Kofi Appiah, Baffour Asare,
Richmond Bruce, Bernard Asiedu, and Mle Griffiths and Opelee Aboagye.
Chelsea FC: 3rd Place Team
An electrifying team of skillful soccer vets led by rising star and field
general midfielder Edward Campbell (Sierra Leone), Joshua Clottey (Pro
Boxer) and Ahmid Silah (Captain) Chelsea FC led the tournament score charts
after the preliminary rounds with a 2-0-1 record. From the onset they looked
eager to hoist the championship trophy but were upset by the Da Bronx FC
(2-1) in a playoff battle that pitted the number one seed versus the number
four seed. This team has caught the attention of several soccer fans in the
area and can pose a threat to any team on any given day. The team is coached
and managed by Alphonse Dzaba and Alex Kwapong functions as the team
President and CEO.
Team Roster: Alphonse Dzaba (Coach and Team Manager) Edwin Boney, Kwasi
Twumasi, Momoh Bangura (Sierra Leone) Ahmid Silah (Sierra Leone) Tijani
Rashid, Edward Cambell (Sierra Leone), Gabriel Arhin, Ezekiel Alamu, Lesley
Allen (Sierra Leone),Joshua Clottey, Bismark Ansah, Philip Oduro,Osei
Tweneboah, Mohammed Abdulai, Anthony Afful, Moses Aseidu, Osumanu Otoo, Luis
Quainoo, Kwadjo Agyare, Salieu Bangura (Sierra Leone).
Friends Soccer FC: Tournament Runner-Ups!
One of the most entertaining football clubs in the northeast Friends Soccer
FC takes tremendous pride in keeping the crowd in the game. The team
possesses a perfect mix of young and veteran athletes who are capable of
putting the ball in the net at will. After placing second during the
preliminary games it came to no surprise when Friends Soccer FC advanced to
the championship game. Besides boasting a deep squad and skilled players at
each position the team is led by Collins Kusi (GK), Edward Opoku (Forward)
the Golden Boot award winner.
Team Roster: Team Manager Martin Oppong aka (Chairman)
Eric Marfo, Kwame Osei Prempreh, Solomon Sarfo, Isaac Opoku, Atta Poku,
Kingsley Prempeh, Evans Agyei, Collins Kusi, Frank Fordjour, Standford
Oduro, Kwadwo Agyapong, Michael Oppong, Jackson Tuffour, Edward Opoku, Ike
Gyamfi (Captain), Samuel Anderson, Asare Acquah, Alfred Akosash, Seth
Ansah, Osei Bonsu,
* Da Bronx Crew FC: 1st Annual Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Challenge Cup Champions!!!
*
Let it be said that in the annals of this historical tournament Da Bronx
Crew FC will forever hold a place! Words can not express the amount of
determination, faith, and perseverance this club endured throughout the
entire tournament. From onset no one would have predicted them raising the
championship trophy but that's exactly what this club did at the end of the
tournament. Much credit is given to Baffour Acheampong who put together a
tremendous team of character, chemistry, and undying faith. After the
prelims Da Bronx FC was the lowest seeded team of the tournament (4th) and
their chances of advancing to the finals looked slim at best when they were
paired with the heavyweights Chelsea FC. But, to the surprise of everyone an
upset was in the making when they defeated Chelsea 2-1 in an epic battle to
secure a spot in the finals. The following Sunday the Bronx Crew's legend
grew even stronger when they defeated Friends Soccer FC 1-0 in the
championship game.
Kudos to Da Bronx FC for holding your head high when things weren't going
your way, and for being an example to all of us on Sunday, July 15th. I
seriously doubt that next year any team will take you lightly as you defend
your title.
Team Roster: Baffour Acheampong (Captain and Team Manager), Andy Agyemang,
Joe Kwaku Boasiako, Nii Aryeetey, J.B. Danquah Jr., Robert Mensah, Ezenwa
Onwumere, Michael Abbey, Jude Bonsu, Abdul Sani, Peter Adarkwah , Ernest
Asiedu, Raphael Anyame, Kaizer Temanu, Kwasi Akomeah, Mark Apenteng, Stephen
Serebour, Kwame Asante Theo Abbey, Kennedy Smith, Prince Karikari, Atta
Kofi, Maxwell Ofori and Eric Adesi.
1st Annual Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Challenge Cup Final Scores
1st Place Game: Da Bronx FC vs. Friends Soccer FC
Score: 1-0
Congratulations to Da Bronx FC aka "Bronx Crew"
You have secured a place forever in the history of the event!
3rd Place Game: Chelsea FC vs. FC Manor
Score: 6-2
Congratulations to Chelsea FC!!
Tournament MVP: Ernest Asiedu (MF) Da Bronx FC
Golden Boot Award: Edward Opoku (F) Friends Soccer FC
Tournament Champions: Da Bronx Crew FC
Community Awards for a devoted service were presented to National Council of
Ghanaian Associations (NCOGA) and Mr. CNN respectively by the Nasare Sports
Foundation.
A very special thanks to Living Traditions Cultural Dance Group for their
awesome and inspiring opening ceremony.
We encourage the entire Ghanaian Community and friends of Ghana to support
Nasare Sports Foundation. Any soccer team interested to be part of next
year's tournament can contact the Nasare Sports Foundation.
For more information on the Challenge Cup Soccer Tournament please log on to
www.nasare.com and click on the "Challenge Cup Photo Gallery.