Hearts of Oak were shocked at home at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium on match day 14 by Dansoman-based Liberty Professionals.
Hearts defeat has seen them move to the 2nd position with 25 points whiles Liberty disposes Kotoko off the 3rd spot having 23 points.
Coach Kenichi Yatsuhashi made only one change to the squad that drew 1-1 with Aduana Stars over the weekend.
Hearts’ leading goals scorer, Cosmos Dauda rounded the visitor’s goalkeeper in the 2nd minute but failed to find an on-rushing player which saw his back pass intercepted by the Liberty defenders.
The Scientific Soccer Lads, minutes after, had a chance to draw first blood after a neat build-up but Gerald Arkson’s shot went wide.
The visitors defiled all odds with sweet inter-positional passes which resulted in the first goal of the afternoon, as Issah Mohammed scored on the 18th minute.
Hearts quickly regrouped with neat flow of football for an equalizer. Defender Kennedy Appiah sent in a teasing cross four minutes after but went straight into the waiting arms of the goalkeeper.
Latif Blessing twisted and turned Hearts defender Vincent Atingah in the box but thanks to Fatawu Mohammed, who cleared the ball to touch. Liberty pushed Hearts back to their own half as they started to pressure the host.
The visitor’s rumbled Hearts of Oak with their pace and intricate passes. Liberty was by far on top of their game as the first half ended 0-1 in favour of them.
Quickly, coach Kenichi Yatsuhashi made two substitutions after the break, Isaac Mensah was replaced by Sarbah Laryea while Paul Acquah’s place was taken by Eric Kumi.
In the 55th minute, Vincent Atingah had a glorious opening with only the keeper to beat but surprisingly wasted his effort. Hearts kept on probing and pressuring the Dansoman club.
Five minutes to full time, Ashitey Ollenu nicely combined with Foovi Aguidi outside the box, Foovi put Samuel Yeboah through but his pass was intercepted.
Liberty held on to their slim lead to carry the day after four minutes of added time to record their second away victory in the first round of the league.
Hearts Lineup
Samuel Akurugu, Robin Gnagne, Kennedy Appiah, Fatawu Mohammed, Vincent Atingah, Isaac Mensah, Cosmos Dauda, Samuel Yeboah, Eric Kumi, Ashitey Ollenu, Mustapha Essuman
Liberty Prof Lineup
Abass Nuhu, Bernard Kwame Arthur, Maxwell Mensah, Edward Ebo Mends, Stephen Kwaku, Mohammed Issa Shaibu, Samuel Sarfo, Gerald Arkson, Latif Blessing, Taminu Muntari, Anthony Nimo Mensah
Other Results
Wa Allstars 1-0 Kotoko
Medeama SC 3-2 WAFA
Inter Allies 3-1 Berekum Chelsea
Ebusua Dwarfs 2-1 Aduana Stars
Bechem United 1-1 Hasaacas
Hearts 0-1 Liberty Professionals
New Edubiase 0-1 Dreams FC
