Liberty split points with Okwawu

Accra, July 26, GNA - Resurgent Okwawu United on Saturday, ended Liberty Professionals three match winning streak when they shared points with them in their 10th- week Kinapharma Premier League match at the Accra Sport Stadium. Liberty, the home team, started well as they controlled the early flow of the game and confining the soccer mountaineers to their side of the field. But they had very little to show for from their early dominance as they could not break through the defensive network of their opponents.

Against the run of play, Okwawu stunned the Liberty in the 20th minute when Mohammed Polo connected home a corner kick from winger Elvis Opoku. With their tails up, Okwawu pushed further for more goals, as Liberty appeared to have lost their bearing. But Okwawu suffered a serious set back in the 35th minute, when goal getter Polo, limped off the field and was replaced by Ebenezer Baah. Liberty gradually warmed themselves into the game and on the stroke of half time, nearly pulled even, but for a daring save by Fatau Dawuda in post for Okwawu who rushed out the post to scoop the ball of the foot of Nii Aryee Tetteh.


The second half was not very different from the first as both sides took turns to raid each other's goal area without much success. Liberty staring their first defeat in the league quickly brought on Emmanuel Addoquaye Pappoe and George Yamoah for Osei Agyman and Michael Helegbe respectively in the 50th minute to strengthen the team. But it was the visitors who were nearly gifted a second goal after Essuman Mustapha's mistimed header to put through Eric Mensah. But Mensah, with only goalkeeper Kotei Blankson to beat, shot directly into his hands in the 77th minute. With time running out, Liberty's Asamoah Gyan, popped up from nowhere to volley a one timer over the head of Okwawu's goalkeeper for the equalizer in the 81st minute.

Liberty after leveling up, came close to pulling out a famous victory in the 87 minute when Gyan set up substitute William Tiero but the striker, could not keep his cool as his shot into the waiting hands of the goalie. The misfortune did not end there for Liberty as on the verge of full time, Mampong-based referee Christie Tetteh sent off enterprising David Boateng for a second bookable offence.