Berekum Chelsea beat Kotoko to win President’s Cup

League champions Berekum Chelsea completed a

hat-trick of victories over Kumasi Asante Kotoko FC when the beat them

8-7 on penalties to win the 2011 President’s Cup.

The match held at the Accra Sports Stadium to climax the nation’s

51st Republican anniversary celebrations ended on an anticlimax note

after the Asante Kotoko team walked off before the presentation

ceremony.

The negative reaction of the Kotoko team was after Tamale-based

referee Awal Mohammed ordered two penalty kicks by Arsenal duo, Yaw

Alexander and Alfred Arthur to be retaken, insisting that the Kotoko

goalie Soulama Abdoulaye came off his line before both kicks were

taken.

Earlier, the Kotoko team threatened to walkout after Chelsea’s

Alfred Arthur’s kick was ordered to be retaken following the keeper’s

move from the goal line, thus halting play for close to five minutes

before the Porcupine Warriors rescinded their decision following the

intervention by some high ranking officials includi8ng the Vice

President John Mahama.

When calm was restored, Arthur scored on the second attempt

before Jackson Owusu, Abdul Basit Mohammed and Adams Ahmed also found

target for Chelsea whilst Prince Anokye missed for Kotoko with Ahmed

Toure and Frank Boateng hitting the back of the net for the Porcupine

Warriors.

The match ended 2-2 in regulation time with Chelsea leading 2-1

at half time before substitute Fatau Mohammed restored parity mid-way

through the second half.

Alex Asamoah shot Kotoko into the lead on 20 minutes only for

Chelsea’s new recruit Gladson Awako, formerly of Kpando Heart of Lion

to draw even two minutes later.

On 35 minutes, Bismark Idan fired Chelsea into the lead for the

first time before the tie was evened in the second half forcing the

game into penalties.

This is the third time Chelsea had beaten Kotoko this season

after home and away victories in the Premier League.

Vice President John Mahama presented the trophy to Chelsea’s

captain Abdul Basit amidst chants from the rest of the playing body

and technical team even

in the absence of the Kotoko team who walked out on in apparent protests.

Source: GNA / Ghana