Liberty U-19 Thursday pipped Swedru Gamba All Blacks to win the maiden Liberty U-19 International Classic Tournament at the Carl Reindorf Park in Dansoman.


The lone goal was scored by joint top goal scorer Latif Salifu.


Zaytuna United FC had earlier beaten Pepsi Academy of Nigeria by three goals to emerge third.


The hosts were clearly nervous early but seeming cracks in the All Black defence made up for great confidence and they poured forward in search for a quick finish to calm them down.


It was obvious that Liberty needed to score early. All Blacks after the initial barrage of attacks were beginning to grow in confidence and would take a goal to bring them down.


And it was no surprise Liberty just got that from a beautiful combination from Captain Ghandi Kassenu and Latif Salifu.
Ghandi burst down the left and crossed for Latif salifu who crashed home a sweet strike which left the keeper rooted to the spot.


Liberty went on in search of more goals but as the game wore on they would be better jealously guarding their lead till after the break.


Latif who put up a man of the match performance made marker his look increasingly frustrated and wasteful in his chase. Nimble minded and quick on the ball, he was a constant hive of industry and an ever present danger in the box.


The goal prompted a furious reaction from coach Amissah which sparked fireworks from the Swedru lads.


Substitute Aaron Baah, twice, could also have done better and wrapped up victory from good positions in the area, but all in all it was a characterless display from the emerging striker.


Mawuli Osei’s introduction sparked a late onslaught from the hosts and Latif, substitute Evans Frimpong and Khalif Alhassan all had close-range efforts blocked.


But it was not enough to save Gamba All Blacks from only their second defeat in the tournament to Liberty U-19.


In the third place game Zaytuna United FC beat their Nigerian counterparts Pepsi Academy by three goals to zero to clinch bronze.


Other winners on the day were Pepsi Academy who produced the Player of the Tournament, Elegbede Mohammed and also won the Fair Play award.



Latif Salifu and Daniel Larbi of Zaytuna United were joint top scorers with 4 goals each.