Liberty Beat Faisal

Accra, Oct. 23, GNA - It seems Kumasi King Faisal would have to abandon their dream of grabbing their maiden premiership title this year, four games before the close of the championship as they suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands Liberty Professionals in the GT Premier League match at the Dansoman Liberty Stadium in Accra.

The result therefore widens the gap between them and the two top teams, Hearts and Kotoko as the two sides won their respective games over the weekend.

It was a day of disappointment for founder of the Club, Alhaji Abdul Karim Gruzah who had to watch from the VIP Stand in agony as his side crumbled to the home side who took advantage of a counter attack to find the opener in the 20th minute.

The gal came against the run of play as Faisal had remained on top in the early parts of the game but found the rear guard of Liberty difficult to penetrate and it was from on one of such occasions that a swift combination between Daniel Yeboah and Kwame Obeng Darko saw skipper Mustapha Esuuman completing the goal scoring process by placing the ball behind keeper Abubakari Kankani.

Faisal seemed undaunted by the goal and took up the challenge but had to wait till the 43rd minute before Sumaila Yahaya out-jumped the Liberty defence to fetch the equaliser, which eventually brought the first half to an end.

The recess seemed to have benefited Liberty more than their guests as they lifted up their game in the second half and assumed a greater control of the proceedings, resulting in their second goal from the foot of defender Eric Boakye whose grounder at the edge of the box surprisingly beat keeper Kankani.

Goalkeeper Kankani who in recent times was accused of bribery allegations in their Confederations Cup campaign had to pave the way for Suraj Mohammed some few minutes after the goal. Down but not out, Faisal, led by tormentor-in-chief Eric Gawu who was voted man of the match remained determined to snatch the equaliser but were met with the same force by Liberty as both sides battled for supremacy.

It was however again the home team who had the last laugh when Yeboah's cross again created a mess in the Faisal defence after their defensive set up failed to handle the situation in the 79th minute and allowed Wahid Mohammed to direct the ball into the net to seal the doom of Faisal.

The result at this stage saw a disappointed Alhaji Gruzah sporting a white "T" Shirt with brown trousers to match at the VIP stand placing his face in his palms in distress while Alhaji Sly Tetteh, Chairman of Liberty remained in his usual calm posture obviously waiting for proceedings to close before any jubilation. Faisal had no option than to continue the fight in anticipation for the cancellation of the two goals but which never materialised till the referee signalled the end of proceedings.