Newly promoted Brong Ahafo United won the Guinness Gala at the Accra sports stadium on Sunday. In the finals, the 'Apostles of Power Soccer' beat Dansoman-based Liberty Professionals 4-2 on penalties to become the new lords of the Guinness Gala championship after the two sides had battled to 1-1 draw.
As overwhelming favourites, Liberty had entered the final game with extreme confidence and were ready to annihilate their relative 'minnows' in what had been described as erroneously as a mismatch by the unimpressive crowd. However, the determination of the Brong Ahafo side was what was to define the trend of competition in the match that produced all the characteristics of a cup final.
Cheered on by a greater fraction of the spectators, BA went straight into action, displaying their intentions by piling pressure on their more experienced opponents to the admiration of their 'borrowed' fans.
With every move of theirs receiving applause, BA continued to dominate the early exchanges of the game, giving Liberty little chance to settle for their own game.
However, it was Liberty, who appeared ever dangerous on all occasions and therefore, it came as little surprise when they snatched the leader in the 13th minute against the run of play through enterprising John Painstil, who connected a swift move from the right of his side's attack.
Until then, BA had come close to shooting up but had been denied on all such occasions by a combination of their own inexperience and an effective play by the well-organised defence of Liberty.
Up by a goal, Liberty gained confidence by the minute and as of the first half of 20th minutes drew to a close, it seemed BA had spent all the energy that served as their driving force.
The resumption of the second half saw Liberty dominating their opponents, giving the impressions of a massive victory, hitting the cross bar just in the 22nd minute. But that was the farthest they could carry their dominance, as they could not prevent a comeback by BA.
And when they regained their composure, BA were a delight to watch, mesmerising their opponents once more, while drawing much of their confidence from the massive support Kotoko fans, especially lent them. In fact the spell of resurgence brought the defining moment of their participation in the entire competition when in the 29th minute Alhaji Abass sent his side’s level with a classic connection to a low cross, sending the whole stadium agog.
And although the goal seemed to have charged both sides, their efforts proved just short of changing the course of proceedings as the game wore on to an exciting close. When the penalty shoot out was invoked, it was BA who proved equal to the task, romping home four kicks as against two by Liberty to take away the top prize of ?7 million with Liberty wiping their tears with ?3 million for their efforts.
Round 1
Hearts 0-2 Mine Stars
Dawu - RTU
Goldfields 0-1 Okwawu United
BA United 1-0 Great Olympics
Hasaacas 0-1 King Faisal
Liberty 3-0 Berekum Arsenals
Bofoakwa 0-1 Power FC
Kotoko 1-0 Maxbees Round 2
BA United 4-1 Okwawu (Penalties)
Liberty 1-0 King Faisal
Kotoko 0-0 Power FC (Power though on penalties)
Semi-Finals
BA United 4-3 Dawu Youngsters
Liberty 5-4 Power FC (Penalties)
Finals
BA United 5-3 Liberty (Penalties)
Newly promoted Brong Ahafo United won the Guinness Gala at the Accra sports stadium on Sunday. In the finals, the 'Apostles of Power Soccer' beat Dansoman-based Liberty Professionals 4-2 on penalties to become the new lords of the Guinness Gala championship after the two sides had battled to 1-1 draw.
As overwhelming favourites, Liberty had entered the final game with extreme confidence and were ready to annihilate their relative 'minnows' in what had been described as erroneously as a mismatch by the unimpressive crowd. However, the determination of the Brong Ahafo side was what was to define the trend of competition in the match that produced all the characteristics of a cup final.
Cheered on by a greater fraction of the spectators, BA went straight into action, displaying their intentions by piling pressure on their more experienced opponents to the admiration of their 'borrowed' fans.
With every move of theirs receiving applause, BA continued to dominate the early exchanges of the game, giving Liberty little chance to settle for their own game.
However, it was Liberty, who appeared ever dangerous on all occasions and therefore, it came as little surprise when they snatched the leader in the 13th minute against the run of play through enterprising John Painstil, who connected a swift move from the right of his side's attack.
Until then, BA had come close to shooting up but had been denied on all such occasions by a combination of their own inexperience and an effective play by the well-organised defence of Liberty.
Up by a goal, Liberty gained confidence by the minute and as of the first half of 20th minutes drew to a close, it seemed BA had spent all the energy that served as their driving force.
The resumption of the second half saw Liberty dominating their opponents, giving the impressions of a massive victory, hitting the cross bar just in the 22nd minute. But that was the farthest they could carry their dominance, as they could not prevent a comeback by BA.
And when they regained their composure, BA were a delight to watch, mesmerising their opponents once more, while drawing much of their confidence from the massive support Kotoko fans, especially lent them. In fact the spell of resurgence brought the defining moment of their participation in the entire competition when in the 29th minute Alhaji Abass sent his side’s level with a classic connection to a low cross, sending the whole stadium agog.
And although the goal seemed to have charged both sides, their efforts proved just short of changing the course of proceedings as the game wore on to an exciting close. When the penalty shoot out was invoked, it was BA who proved equal to the task, romping home four kicks as against two by Liberty to take away the top prize of ?7 million with Liberty wiping their tears with ?3 million for their efforts.
Round 1
Hearts 0-2 Mine Stars
Dawu - RTU
Goldfields 0-1 Okwawu United
BA United 1-0 Great Olympics
Hasaacas 0-1 King Faisal
Liberty 3-0 Berekum Arsenals
Bofoakwa 0-1 Power FC
Kotoko 1-0 Maxbees Round 2
BA United 4-1 Okwawu (Penalties)
Liberty 1-0 King Faisal
Kotoko 0-0 Power FC (Power though on penalties)
Semi-Finals
BA United 4-3 Dawu Youngsters
Liberty 5-4 Power FC (Penalties)
Finals
BA United 5-3 Liberty (Penalties)
