Kasoa retains Sharubutu Ramadan Cup

KASOA established their superiority as a football powerhouse among Zongo communities after retaining the Sheikh Sharubutu Ramadan Cup last Sunday by beating Fadama Night Market in the final.

The Central Regional side brushed aside all their opponents to lift the trophy for the second time in the tournament's history after the two-day soccer festival at the Sharubutu Complex at Fadama in Accra.

Kasoa, who won the trophy last year, began the defence of their crown with an emphatic 2:0 win over Tema, before brushing aside Nungua Zongo, Ofie Akuapem Zongo and Cowlane in the second round, quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively, en route to the final of the 28-team tournament.

Wild card

The Night Market Community team, a Zongo community located between New Fadama and North Kaneshie, got a wild card for the tournament after Northern Region's Yendi failed to show up last Saturday due to circumstances beyond their control. However, the late entrants turned out to be the revelation of the tournament after fighting their way to the grand finale.

Despite the roar of the home crowd in support of the home team, Kasoa proved too tough for Kaneshie Night Market in the final, forcing a goalless draw in regulation time and winning 4-3 on penalties.

The final match attracted personalities, including the Minister for Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, the Chief Executive Officer of the Zongo Development Fund, Arafat Sulemana, some sports icons and representatives of the National Chief Imam.

The minister, who presented the trophy to the winners, commended the organisers of the tournament for the consistency of the competition since its inception in 2015.

The tournament was sponsored by a number of organisations, including Kenpong Ghana Limited, the National Petroleum Authority, Perla Mineral Water, Nasco Electronics, Malibu Transport and Haulage and Somoco Ghana Limited.