The May 9th Zongo Cup Memorial Tournament ended on a high note in Kumasi, Ghana when Accra based Madina Ashley Botwe United beat Kumasi team Aboabo Number Two by 5 goals to 4 in a penalty shootout after a 2 - 2 draw.

The tournament was initiated and funded by Mr. Herbert Mensah, former Chairman of Asante Kotoko and current President of the Ghana Rugby Football Union (GRFU), as part of a series of Zongo Football Ghana tournaments played between Southern and Northern Sector teams.

The flagship tournament, the Zongo Football Ghana League, is played on a single round robin basis between eight teams in the Greater Accra Region and on a single round robin basis between eight teams in the Ashanti Region with a Champion-of-Champions match between the winners of each Sector at the end of the league.

A Zongo Football Ghana June 3rd Community Shield is planned to take place in the week of 3 June in remembrance of the Accra flood victims.

The May 9th Zongo Cup was ininitaited by Mr. Mensah to specifically coincide with the annual “May 9th Remembered” activities as a tribute to the 127 young football fans who lost their lives on 9 May 2001 in the Accra Sports Stadium disaster.

According to Mr. Mensah the purpose of the Zongo Football Ghana (ZFG) initiative is to establish a practical framework for the organisation of and participation in the ZFG League, the June 3rd Community Shield and the May 9th Zongo Cup.

This formalised relationship between ZFG and Zongo Football Clubs will also allow for the parties to, work together to raise the standards of football in the Zongo communities across Ghana; develop Ghana competitions and tournaments; raise the standards of coaches to regional, national and international levels; promote the finest holistic sport models for every Zongo football athlete in Ghana; promote the importance of Culture and Education at all football camps and competitions in Ghana; and utilise football as the catalyst to promote health, wellness and physical activity as a way of life for Zongo youth and Ghanaian youth.

The third place playoff between Alhaji Israel United (South) and Aboabo Number One (North) ended with Alhaji Israel United walking off with the laurels by beating Aboabo Number One 8 goals 7 in another penalty shootout.

 

 

Observing a minute of silence for the 127 victims of the 9 May 2001 Accra Sports Stadium disaster were the children of victims of the April 2001 Ellis Park stadium disaster, Ntlakanipho Zulu and Mmakgomo Tshetlo, who were both brought to Ghana by Mr. Mensah.

 

Mr. Herbert Mensah, founder of May 9th Remembered and Zongo Football Ghana, is introduced to the team members of Alhaji Israel United (South) and Aboabo Number One (North) who competed in final of the historic first ever May 9th Remembered Zongo Cup in Kumasi.

 

The historic first ever May 9th Remembered Zongo Cup in Kumasi between Alhaji Israel United (South) and Aboabo Number One (North) in full swing.

 

 

 

Members of Alhaji Israel United (South) jubilates after beating Aboabo Number One (North) in the final of the historic first ever May 9th Remembered Zongo Cup in Kumasi.

Rugby players from Accra who payed tribute to the 127 victims of the 9 May 2001 Accra Sports Stadium Disaster enjoyed the victory of Alhaji Israel United (South) in the final of the historic first ever May 9th Remembered Zongo Cup in Kumasi.

 

A massive crowd was thoroughly entertained by the teams who competed in the third place playoffs and the  final of the historic first ever May 9th Remembered Zongo Cup in Kumasi.

 

Mr. Chester Anie, a guest of honour, hands out a certificate to one of the officials at the  final of the historic first ever May 9th Remembered Zongo Cup in Kumasi.

 

 

Mr. Herbert Mensah, founder of May 9th Remembered and Zongo Football Ghana, hands out medals to participants in the third place playoffs and the final of the historic first ever May 9th Remembered Zongo Cup in Kumasi.