Liberty Professionals came from behind to hold Berekum Chelsea to a 1-1 draw in their penultimate match of the season clash on Sunday at the Sly Tetteh Stadium, Dansoman.
Pacy midfielder Solomon Asante fired the visitors into the lead on two minutes whilst Ernest Baffoe drew level for the hosts on 12 minutes.
Berekum Chelsea proved that reaching the last eight of the CAF Champions League was no fluke by dishing out a sell-out performance that confirmed their readiness to dine with the big guns of African football.
For Liberty, they failed to give their fans a winning farewell in their last home game of the season with their wastefulness in front of goal.
The game commenced on a high note, and just when both teams were struggling in search of their feet, Berekum Chelsea broke the deadlock.
Asante, who has been called up for the Black Stars for next month’s 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers justified his invitation with a grounder that beat Liberty goalie Razak Issah after Emmanuel Clottey had put him through.
Liberty responded positively and succeeded in getting the equalizer through Baffoe, who tapped in from Ishmael Antwi’s cross from the left.
The game remained balanced with Berekum Chelsea captain Mohamed Abdul Basit and Asante creating sleepless nights for the Liberty rear guard which evolved around Antwi, Ofoe Ofotsu, David Addo and Yusif Ayoma.
The hosts resumed on a good footing and Baffoe was unlucky to see his goal-bound shot bounced off the body of Berekum Chelsea defender Awudu Nafiu.
On 57 minutes, the visitors’ goalie, Collins Addo was to his side’s rescue with a superb save off Latif Salifu’s effort.
The best chance of the half went the way of Berekum Chelsea on 73 minutes but Ibrahim Issaka, who had replaced Clottey five minutes earlier made a mess of the golden opportunity.
Captain Basit profited from a long pass from Edward Kpodo, weaved his way through the Liberty defence and spotted Issaka, but the dreadlock striker with only Liberty goalie Razak to beat, delivered a feeble low drive that the latter parried away.
It was the closest either side came to scoring before proceedings was brought to an end by FIFA referee Samuel Gyasi.**
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