Berekum Chelsea beat Kotoko to retain President's Cup

Published on: 01 July 2012

Berekum Chelsea rallied from behind to beat Asante Kotoko 2-1 at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday to defend the President Cup.

Striker Kofi Nti-Boakye snatched the opener for Kotoko on 16 minutes with a fine effort but defender Edward Kpodo restored parity for Chelsea four minutes after the interval.

Former Ghana Under-20 midfielder Gladson Awako sealed victory for the dethroned league champions with a sublime finish in the 71st minute.

Chelsea had the chance to score the opener just three minutes into the tie but Bismark Idan's effort was blocked by Awal Mohammed.

Kotoko's response came in the 7th minute mark but Black Stars striker Ben Acheampong was sandwiched by two Chelsea defenders from 20 yards out.

Michael Akuffo skied the resultant free-kick.

Kotoko goalkeeper Soulama Abdullai had to pull a fine save to deny Awudu Moro who fired from close range.

As the half travelled into the first quarter of an hour, Chelsea began to express their dominance in midfield.

A quick through pass from Yaw Frimpong found Kofi Nti-Boakye who clinically finished off for the opener.

Striker Acheampong intercepted a pass from Owusu Jackson in the middle and found Frimpong who raced clear off his markers to play through Nti-Boakye.

The 23-year-old advertised clinical goal scoring form by scooping the ball over the on-rushing Ernest Sowah.

Nti-Boakye was all set to go one-on-one with Ernest Sowah but he was flagged offside.

Moments later, Abdulai was alert as Musa Mohammed forced his way through centre-back Awal Mohammed and Frimpong to try an audacious lob which went just wide.

Chelsea continued to pile the pressure for the leveller as Niger international shot wide.

Bismark Idan got Han van der Plyum shaking his head in disbelieve as he wasted a glorious opportunity just after recess.

Chelsea's early dominance did not remain sterile for long as Edward Kpodo restored parity for the Caf Champions League campaigners.

The Kotoko defence watched on as Edward Kpodo's feeble effort from inside the box sailed into the net with goalkeeper Abdulai stuck to his position.

Abdullai produced a world-class stop to deny a terrific effort from Obed Owusu in the 69th minute.

But two minutes later Awako put Chelsea ahead.

The former Ghana U20 midfielder shimmed Awal Mohammed before scrolling through the box to fire past Abdullai for his third Chelsea career goal.

Kofi Nti Boakye's header came off the woodwork for the second time in the game.

Awako's stinging header was palmed off the goal-line by the Soulama Abdullai on the 85th minute mark.

Kotoko huffed and puffed for the leveller but Chelsea remained resolute till the regulation time petered out.

Chelsea beat Kotoko on penalties last year to win the trophy dedicated to the Ghana president.

Berekum Chelsea: Ernest Sowah - Edward Kpodo, Awudu Nafiu, Alfred Arthur, Owusu Jackson - Samuel Kyere, Gladson Awako, Jordan Opoku - Bismark Idan, M. Musah, Awudu Moro

Asante Kotoko: Soulama Abdulai- Ohene Brenya, Yaw Frimpong, Gideon Baah, Mohammed Awal - Michael Akuffu, Michael Anaba, Daniel Nii Adjei, Michael Helegbe - Nti Boakye, Ben Acheampong

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