Kotoko lose 2-3 to Liberty Professionals in Kumasi

Dansoman-based Liberty Professionals put up a splendid performance to beat Kumasi Asante Kotoko 3-2 in their penultimate Week 29 Glo Premier League match at the Kumasi Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday.

It was Kotoko who scored first in the 10th minute when Ahmed Toure headed home a long range lob from midfielder Frank Boateng.

Kotoko with the early goal continued to probe to increase their tally but the visitors, against the run of play leveled up the scores in the 31st minute through former international Michael Helegbe with Kotoko’s goalkeeper Isaac Amoako sprawling in vain.

Liberty who fought like wounded tigers nearly took the lead in the 35th minute but the strikers could not translate an opportunity that came their way into goal.

Kotoko’s goal-poacher Nathaniel Asamoah made it 2-1 for Kotoko in the 37th minute with a perfect shot after beating two defenders on a row.

The Porcupine Warriors continued to pile pressure with Yaw Frimpong and Daniel Nii Adjei wasting two chances in the 41st and 44th minute respectively to end the half with their thin lead.

After the recess, Asamoah hit the woodwork in the 46th minute with a feeble shot after goalkeeper Daniel Adjei was displaced in a goalmouth melee.

Liberty quickly recovered as they took over proceedings and increased their game plan and it was no wonder that they came to equal terms in the 53rd minute through a free kick taken by defender Alfred Nelson just outside the penalty box.

Determined to carry the day and to dodge from relegation, Liberty threw more men upfront and ensuring that they kept the Kotoko attacking machinery led by Ahmed Toure in check.

When everything seemed like ending in a drawn game with the match into extra time, Helegbe came from nowhere to connect home an in-swinger from Latif Salifu to seal the doom of Kotoko and to send the stadium into dead silence.

Source: GNA