Accra, Nov. 23, GNA - Debutants Bechem Chelsea launched their premiership campaign on a high note by beating Liberty Professionals 3-2 in the season's opener on Sunday at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium. Dreadlocked striker Ibrahim Issaka scored the match winner in the 62nd minute to announce Chelsea's readiness for the elite division. Prior to that, Liberty striker Latifu Salifu had equalized for Liberty after the first half had ended 2-1 in favour of the visitors.
Chelsea started very well and their performance made mockery of Liberty's 11-years experience.
But it was Liberty who went up first as early as the ninth minute through Yaw Antwi, who slammed home a rebound after Chelsea goalkeeper Nana Bonsu had fumbled with Samuel Ayew Yeboah's pile drive.
The visitors responded positively through clean-shaved striker Richard Adika in the 20th minute. The goal was a masterpiece as Adika after being put through by Abdul Basit dummied two Liberty defenders before slotting the ball past goalkeeper Daniel Agyei. Chelsea pressed on and were gifted a penalty seven minutes past the half-hour mark after Liberty defender Kennedy Korley handled a ball in the vital area, and the resultant spot-kick was expertly converted by Jackson Owusu. Salifu leveled up on 58 minutes before Issaka restored Chelsea's lead after finishing-off a solo move by Atika, who was tormentor of the Liberty defence.
Liberty brought on Emmanuel Allan and Tuaha Khamix for Bawa Mohamed and Ashmond Asamoah in their quest to fortify their attack, yet the equalizer remained elusive.
