Accra, Nov 25, GNA - Midfielder Rabiu Mohammed emerged hero of the day as Dansoman-based Liberty Professional beat Accra Hearts of Oak 7-6 on penalties to lift the maiden NIIT Invitational Tourney on Sunday at the El-Wak Stadium, Accra.

The lanky Rabiu, who kept the post after goalkeeper Patrick Antwi was given the marching off orders saved Michael Donkor's kick before Michael Insaidoo converted to hand Liberty the GH=A210,000 (=A2100,000,000) monetary prize.

Hearts toke the lead through Samuel Affum before Yaw Antwi drew even for Liberty, who ended the game with nine men after Richard Kissi was also given the marching off orders after exchanging heated arguments with FIFA referee Reginald Lathbridge.

Led by Black Meteors burly midfielder, Kojo Asamoah, it was the "Scientific Soccer Lads" who made their intentions known of carrying the day by launching several attacks into the goal area of the defending League Champions, Hearts.

Twice in the sixth and 26th minutes, Asamoah who terrorized the Hearts defence with his surging runs from the flanks came close to breaking the deadlock but Hearts goalie, Laud Quartey proved equal on both occasions.

Two minutes later, Hearts taught their opponents how to score when Affum headed home Bernard Don Bortey's incisive cross from a corner which caught Liberty's goalie, Antwi motionless. A minute later, Eric Gawu nearly doubled the lead for the Hearts but Antwi scored full marks by parrying the ball to corner. Liberty introduced Rabiu for Emmanuel Osei during the second session and this paid off for them six minutes into the half when the former meandered his way through the Hearts defence to find Samuel Ayew who laid a perfect pass to striker Antwi to shoot beyond the reach of Hearts goalie Quartey.

Both teams effected some substitutions, but Libery still failed to convert their dominance into goals as the Hearts team struggled to find their feet.

In the 86th minutes, Liberty suffered a numerical blow as Kissi was shown the exit but the Phobians failed to capitalize on their numerical advantage forcing the game into penalty shoot out after five minutes of added on time.

During the penalties, Antwi who had a quite afternoon saved Dan Quaye's initial kick but the keeper was adjudged to have come off his line before the kick was played.

Antwi was subsequently shown the yellow card and later the red after exchanges with referee Lathbrigde. Adjah Tetteh and Michael Donkor failed to score for Hearts while Kojo Asamoah missed his kick for Liberty.

Hearts received 50 million cedis for placing second while Kpando Heart of Lions went home with 30 million cedis for emerging third. 25 Nov. 07