Liberty test for Hearts …as Kotoko trek to Bechem
Liberty Professionals’ home invincibility will face a stern test when they lock horns with Accra Hearts of Oak in their top Southern sector Normalisation Committee (NC) League at the Dansoman Park on Sunday.
Under Coach Reginald Boateng (Reggae), Liberty has undergone some measure of growth and consistency, manifesting in their impressive output so far in the competition.
Their only blip in the five-week old competition has been the opening day defeat to WAFA at Sogakope.
Since, they have recorded seven points from their last three games and would aim at stunning Hearts which bounced back from their Sharks defeat with a difficult home win against Dwarfs on Wednesday.
![Man United flop Antony our greatest-ever signing —Betis chief ANTONY gave a glimpse against Nottingham Forest as to why Real Betis sporting director Manu Fajardo believes the Manchester United flop might be "the most import¬ant signing" in the club's history. The 25-year-old has been reborn in Andalusia after an underwhelming stint at Old Trafford, where he failed to get anywhere near justifying the lofty fee paid to Ajax three years ago. Antony arrived for an eye-popping €95 million ($111.6m), plus a potential €5m in add-ons, but failed to consis¬tently impress and fell down the pecking order at United. The Brazil international sparkled after joining Betis on loan in January and made the move permanent after protracted talks brought a deadline-day switch for up to €25m. United included a clause that gives them 50% of any future deal for Antony, who followed a smart assist with a late goal to secure a 2-2 draw in Wednesday's Europa League opener against Forest. Betis sporting director Fajardo told the PA news agency: "I am 100% sure that maybe Antony is the most import¬ant signing in Betis' history. "Everything [about the signing] be¬cause the talent, the level of the player, the level of the club as Manchester United a big team, a big project, so I am 100% sure that Antony is the best signing in Betis' history." "In the first moment we spoke with Manchester United for Antony to stay in Betis one year more on loan. "But for Antony, for Manchester it was very, very important to recover the investment, so for Betis it was not easy. The move was so much for us. "But Manchester United made a big effort, Betis made a big effort, Antony made a big, big effort to play here again. Maybe in that situation that was the secret." Betis may not be able to compete with Premier League clubs' financial clout, but they boast talent that Fajardo hopes can see them to push for Europa League glory this season. "For Betis it is not easy to sign players from Premier League, because the dif¬ference in respect to the salary between the Premier League and LaLiga is too big," Fajardo added. "But when a player like Antony, for example, wants to come to Betis it's easier. "Antony only thought to play in Betis again, so when you have a negotiation with a big club in Manchester United, a club that paid a big amount for Antony, it's not easy. But the player wants to play in Betis."-ESPN](https://ghanaiantimes.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Antony-220x150.jpg)
Kim Grant’s men are bent on sustaining the winning formula and would go all out to break Liberty’s record at home.
Avoiding a third defeat will be a huge task for the Phobians considering Liberty’s form at home but it is also not a situation bigger than Hearts who are considered slight favourites.
Dreams FC will also be engaged in a very difficult assignment when they welcome Southern sector leaders, WAFA at the Dawu ‘Theatre of Dreams.’
Karela FC will engage Inter Allies in another tough Southern Sector clash while Dwarfs and Elmina Sharks slug it out at the Cape Coast Stadium.
The thrills in the Northern sector will continue with two tough clashes that will see leaders Asante Kotoko travel up to face Bechem United while Medeama face off with Ashgold at the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium.
Kotoko bounced back well from the defeat to Medeama at Tarkwa, recording a convincing 2-0 victory over Ashgold before humiliating Techiman XI Wonders to boost their chances of winning the group.
Against Bechem at enemy territory, they are still considered huge favourites against a Bechem side that have not shown much consistency.
They have often posed threats to Kotoko in their previous clashes and tomorrow’s game will be no exception but the daring performance of Emmanuel Gyamfi and Abdul Fatau Safiu will serve a big worry for the Bechem lads.
Ashgold were unfortunate losers in the game against Kotoko as they started as the better side and created several openings in the early stages of the game but were let down by the erratic shooting by their attackers.
Back at home, the Miners would have to correct their wrongs and consider solidifying the defence to snatch the three points against the Medeama side expected to be defensive minded.
At Techiman, XI Wonders will aim to breathe life into their campaign with a good performance against Berekum Chelsea.
BY ANDREW NORTEY
