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.