Liberty see-off Kotoko in grand style

Accra, Nov. 8, GNA - Liberty Professionals handed Asante Kotoko their first defeat of the season by beating them 3-1 on Sunday during their week five Glo Premier League clash at the Ohene Djan Stadium. It was a well deserved victory for the Dansoman-based side against an ordinary Asante Kotoko squad that appeared clueless and visionless. Not even the switch of venue from their traditional Carl Reindorf Park in Dansoman to the national stadium could alter their aspirations for the maximum points, as they outplayed their guests in every department of the game.

With both teams struggling in search of their feet during the initial stages of the game, Liberty made clear their intent the few times they had ball possession.


The first half was very scrappy as both teams failed to make any meaningful impact, with no tactical and technical pattern backing their play.


Against the run of play, Ivorian-import Kevin Kouakou broke the deadlock on 37th minute by heading past Kotoko goalie Eric Nii Baah from Christopher Nkansah's cross from the right.


Nii Baah was completely clueless and only responded with a gaze as the ball zoomed into the net.

Visibly disappointed by the performance of their team, Asante Kotoko fans replied with wild boos and also pelted the players with sachet waters on their way to the dressing room. Kotoko appeared gingered by the boos from their adored fans with an improvement in their game in the second half following the introduction of midfield duo, Jordan Opoku and Samad Oppong for Daniel Nii Adjei and Kabiru Imoro respectively.


On the hour mark, Liberty midfielder Kamal Issah made a mess of a golden opportunity to authenticate his side's lead as he shot feebly after rounding off nervy Nii Baah, allowing Kotoko central defender Mutalabi Mohamed to scoop the ball out of danger.


Sixty seconds later, Bright Luqman scored Liberty's second goal after his seemingly 'harmless' shot outside the penalty area surprisingly zoomed through the legs of Nii Baah.


Three minutes on, Francis Coffie reduced the deficit for the Porcupine Warriors with a spectacular shot that beat Liberty goalie Daniel Agyei. However, the dream of Kotoko to at least grab a point crashed five minutes from time, as Liberty player Francis Morton's shot deflected off Mutalabi for the third goal.