Community 2 Sakasaka were crowned champions of the maiden Asante Express Unity Football Tournament after edging Italian Flats Babies 1-0 in a tense final at the Mexico Astroturf Park in Tema.

The two-day event, organised by Asante Express Deliveries LLC, brought football fever to the heart of Tema Community 2 
to promote peace and unity among the youth of Tema Community 2 in the Greater Accra Region. It brought together eight teams -- Humble Lion FC, Tema Manhean, Community 5, Sakasaka, A-Lang, Community 1, Community 2 BBC and Italian Flats Babies -- battling for supremacy in a thrilling display of grassroots football.

For their exploits, Community 2 Sakasaka took home the coveted trophy and GH¢3,000 cash prize, while runners-up, Italian Flats Babies, received GH¢2,000.

In the third-place playoff, Community 2 A-Lang defeated Humble Lion FC 4-2 in an exciting contest to take home GH¢1,000. 

Outstanding players

Individual brilliance shone through the competition, with David Nanor of Sakasaka crowned Player of the Tournament. Emmanuel Awadey of Italian Flats Babies took home the award for Best Goalkeeper, while Emmanuel Armarh of Humble Lion FC was named Top Scorer.

Before the final, a friendly curtain-raiser match between the Community 2 Police Station and the tournament organisers brought added excitement, with the police team claiming bragging rights and drawing cheers from the crowd.

What started as a local football tournament ended as a powerful celebration of unity, community spirit and youth empowerment. For the brain behind the event, Godwin Asante, CEO of Asante Express Delivery LLC, it was a deeply personal project.

Born and raised in Tema Community 2 before relocating to the United States, Mr Asante returned to inspire the youth in the community where he spent his formative years.

"The goal is to unite the youth through football and promote peace. I hope to make it an annual event, possibly with sponsorship from the US,” he told the Daily Graphic.