Antwi's brace sinks Kotoko in Top Four Tourney

Accra, Aug. 27, GNA - A first half brace by striker Yaw Antwi pummeled Dansoman-based Liberty Professionals to a 2-1 victory over Kumasi Asante Kotoko on Wednesday in the day two clash of the Glo Top Four Tournament at the Ohene Djan Sports stadium in Accra. Antwi scored in the early minute of 7th mark and added another in 25th minute to cushion his side to ensure that Kotoko's Francis Akwafo's second half strike did not have any meaningful impact on the result. The victory, the first for Liberty in as many matches against the Porcupine Warriors in the annual competition pushed them to the summit of the standings on six points, three more than Kotoko.

For once, the signal was clear that Liberty will cruise to victory as the attendance a t the stadium was unlike for a game involving Kotoko as their army of followers were mostly absent at the Ohene Djan Stadium. Liberty started on a bright note as they took control of the middle while the Kotoko team that had Julius Adjabeng, playing at an unfavourite left back, Prince Anokye and Burkinabe import, Seydou Dagano struggling in search of their rhythm.

Kotoko's plight was further worsened by the rustiness of rasta-haired midfielder Samuel Arthur. Liberty had earlier struck after four minutes of proceedings but Tuaha Khamix's strike was ruled offside.

Three minutes on, Antwi broke the deadlock with a spectacular half volley after he was fed on target by Seidu Yakubu. Liberty held on to their dominance and it paid off on 25 minutes when Antwi was on target again to fire a long range shot outside the penalty box after goalkeeper Eric Nii Baah had spilled Richard Kissi's effort onto his path out side the box.

With defeat staring at them, Kotoko's coach Bashir Hayford introduced Jordan Opoku and Eric Bekoe for Arthur and Kwame Obeng Darko in the second half and it soon began to yield results for them. In the 67th minute, Bekoe's individual effort picked out Francis Akwafo from the right who struggled to shoot through the legs of goalkeeper Daniel Adjei of Liberty.

Liberty played much of the second half with ten men after their hard working midfielder, Yakubu was shown the exit for a second cautionable offence but Kotoko failed to capitalize on their numerical advantage and all efforts to draw even proved futile until the final to send the disillusioned Kotoko supporters in a dream world. Liberty's captain Daniel Yeboah was voted the Most Valuable Player award for the second time after he won the award in their encounter with Kpando Heart of Lions at the week end.