Tier II Special competition, Hearts, Liberty qualify to Round of 16

Accra Hearts of Oak qualified to the Round of 16 stage of the Tier II Normalisation Committee (NC) Special Competition after dispatching Uncle T United 4-2 at the Accra Stadium yesterday.

Also making it to the next round is Liberty Professionals who defeated Division One side Skyy FC 1-0 at Dansoman yesterday.

The Phobians came from a goal down to ensure the emphatic victory over the Division One side in a game that was postponed last Wednesday due to a downpour.

With Coach Kim Grant parading a strong squad, it was expected that the Phobians would have an easy ride over their opponents, but that was not to be.

It was Uncle T United who took the lead after 42 minutes when Enoch Amaglo, tapped home a cross from the left.

The Phobians, however, responded within two minutes when striker, Joseph Esso, levelled up in the 44th minute after connecting a cross from Christopher Bonney to end the first half in a 1-1 stalemate.

Coach Grant was forced to effect a change after recess, with Kwadwo Obeng Jnr replacing Michelle Sarpong.

The hosts controlled the game from the restart in search of the lead and finally got it when Christopher Bonney stepped up to convert a penalty in the 60th minute.

But Uncle T restored parity six minutes later when George Tei tapped in from close range to cut short Hearts’ celebration.

With 10 minutes left on the clock, Hearts took the lead once again through Kwadwo Obeng Jnr as he headed home a cross from William Denkyi, before bulky forward, Kofi Kodzi, put victory beyond recovery in the 87th minute when he netted from close range.

Meanwhile, Karela United Coach, Johnson Smith, says his players underrated Nzema Kotoko in yesterday’s game which led to their exit from the Tier II of the Normalisation Committee Special Committee, reports Samuel Amoesi.

The two clubs drew 1-1 in a Round of 32 local derby at the Aiyinase CAM Park after 90 minutes, but the Division One campaigners eliminated sensational Karela United 4-3 in the penalty shootout.

According to Coach Smith, the factors that contributed to their early exit were many but still congratulated their rivals for their gallant performance.