The 1st Annual Kwame Nkrumah Challenge Cup Soccer Tournament

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.