BYC FC (Liberia) Defeats Asante Kotoko (Ghana) 1-0 in CAF Champions League
Liberia’s BYC FC on Sunday whipped and silence thousands of fans after they nailed Ghana ‘s rock Asante Kotoko FC 1-0 at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium in Monrovia, thus eliminating the Ghana’s Premier League leaders and 2013 National champions from the competition.
Barrack Young Controllers (alias BYC Football) of Liberia will now advance to the next stage of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) 2014 African Champions League completion.
After falling to the Porcupine warriors in Kumasi a Fortnight ago the return leg in Monrovia produced the result needed to advance in the continental competition.
Barrack Young Controller FC got the needed goal of the day through striker Blamo that came from the bench replacing rough and tough attacker Jabateh.
The Defenders led by Lonestar Center defender Teah Dennis Jr stood their ground throughout the match. Isaac Popo got the assist as his play in the center of the park was outstanding all day.
Thousands of Liberians doubted the ‘Go Blues Boys’ but football spoke, mouths were silenced, hopes failed, a record was set, new page of challenge for progression has been opened and the doubters are now starting to believe that motivation and preparation are the best tool for trust.
The club made history under the captaincy of Alpha James, tricky midfielder Isaac Pupo, CAF experience defensive block Gideon Williams and Lone Star shoot-stopper Sherman.
Thanks to the cancellation goal scored by Liberian international midfielder, Isaac Pupo in BYC 2-1 loss to Kotoko at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, Ghana on last Sunday, February 9, 2014, which put the aggregate at 2-2, automatically qualifying the “Go Blue” boys to the next qualifying level.
Despite the fact that they were being cheered by over 16,000 fans at the ATS, with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and other top government officials in attendance, BYC started the match on a very good footing in terms of possession and performance, for the first 20 minutes of the match but couldn’t find the back of the net.
With striking pair, Trokon Myers and Lamine Jabateh, failing to utilize possible goal-scoring opportunities. Afterward, Kotoko took the game to their opponents missing chances as well. First half ended goalless.
In the 2nd half, both sides had their fair share of chances but Kotoko’s chances were glaring, looking back at Ben Adama’s 64th minute, which rattled of the frame and Richard Mpong’s unpardonable miss in the 71st minute.
However, the Liberian 2013 Double champions waited until the 85th minute thru 2nd half substitute, Blamo Nimely, to stab the Ghanaians who were left with little time to recover. The lone goal by striker Nimely ensured BYC became the first Liberian team to eliminate a Ghanaian side from the prestigious Africa’s top-flight competition.
BYC next opponent is Sewe Sport of Ivory Coast, who advance to the next round of the qualifiers after Balantas Mansoa of Guinea Bissau withdrew from the preliminary stage. The two legs will be played during the weekends of February 28 – March 1, 2014 in Monrovia and March 8 – 10, 2014 in Abidjan, respectively.
