Abedi Pele, Michael IKpoki and other officials pose with the cup
After conquering eight-time winners Asante Kotoko in this year’s FA Cup final, Abedi Pele’s Nania FC yesterday presented the silverware to the competition’s sponsors, MTN, at its Ridge head office in Accra.
MTN Ghana chief Michael Ikpoki, in his address said, “MTN is impressed by the high quality of skills exhibited by the team leading to their first national decoration as winners of the MTN FA Cup and wishes to express its support to the team as they move onto the continental level to represent Ghana for the CAF Confederation Cup.”
He noted that the Division One campaigners’ feat against no other club than Kotoko, was a clear demonstration of his outfit’s can-do spirit.
“There is no doubt that our three-year FA Cup sponsorship deal with the Ghana Football Association has re-ignited the football atmosphere in the country and opened more opportunities for our young football stars since it is the only platform that brings the lower division and the premier clubs together,” he added.
He described the soccer maestro as a trail-blazer who had inspired a lot of young footballers in the country and beyond.
In the company of two of the architects of the giant-killing feat- Abraziz Abankwa, best player and Prince Baffoe- Pele expressed profuse gratitude to MTN for deeming it wise to sponsor the competition which was shelved for a decade.
“MTN thought it prudent to rally behind this competition which has been absent for years. There are many companies in the country but none showed the interest, and I must say but for MTN, Nania would not have attracted the attention it is attracting now,” he said.
The three-time African soccer king pointed out that winning the FA Cup was a dream come true and he thanked MTN for giving his side the opportunity to showcase their talents.
He appealed to the telecommunication company to continue their support for them, as they strive to extend their dominance in the CAF Confederation campaign.
By Kofi Owusu Aduonum