By: Delwin Neblette | HGP Nightly News |
Football took centre stage over the weekend as action concluded in the 2025 KFC International Schools’ Goodwill Tournament, with four decisive fixtures played at the Ministry of Education Ground across Friday and Sunday.
In semi-final action on Friday, St. Benedict’s College of Trinidad and Tobago booked their place in the final with a composed 2–0 victory over Kingston College of Jamaica. Player of the Match Ruben Phillip delivered a clinical performance, scoring both goals to seal the win.
Defending champions Chase Academic Foundation continued their dominant run in the second semi-final, maintaining an unbeaten record with a resounding 5–0 triumph over STSN Suriname. Whitney King earned Player of the Match honours after scoring one of the standout goals of the tournament, while Malcolm Hendricks, Isaiah Ifill, Neeaz Baksh, and Shaquan David also found the back of the net.
On Sunday, Kingston College rebounded to claim third place following a convincing 4–1 win over STSN Suriname. Jasiri Hussey dazzled with a hat-trick to earn Player of the Match recognition, while Nthanda Scott added another goal to complete the effort.
The championship final delivered high drama as Chase Academic Foundation and St. Benedict’s College played to a scoreless draw in regulation time. Chase held their nerve in the ensuing penalty shootout, edging their Trinidadian opponents 5–4 to successfully defend their title. Bryan Wharton finished as the tournament’s leading goal scorer and was named Player of the Match in the final, while Chase’s Flavio LaRoase received the award for Best Goalkeeper. Malcolm Hendricks capped off an outstanding campaign by being named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
GFF Super 16 Cup: Thrilling Encounters Continue
Football action also intensified in the 2025 GFF Super 16 Knockout Cup, with four fixtures played at the National Training Centre in Providence.
On Saturday, Strikers FC edged Monedderlust FC 3–2 in a closely contested encounter, with Von Harding netting twice and Vitals Benjamin adding another. Ryan Solomon and Delroy Fraser scored in reply. In the second fixture, Zeelugt FC secured a narrow 1–0 victory over Den Amstel FC, courtesy of a decisive strike from Johnny Mendoza.
Sunday’s action saw Ann’s Grove United and Mahaica Determinators share the spoils in an entertaining 2–2 draw. Travis Williams scored both goals for Ann’s Grove, while Julius Hamilton and Brian James replied for Mahaica. The final match of the weekend ended in a hard-fought 1–0 win for Santos FC over the Fruta Conquerors, with Jermain Lewis delivering the match-winning goal.
Super 16 Cup action resumes on Tuesday with Western Tigers facing Zeelugt FC, followed by Guyana Police Force FC against Santos FC.
Women’s Division One League: GDF and GPF Storm into Final
In the GFF Division One Women’s League semi-finals, the Guyana Police Force FC produced a commanding 4–0 victory over Santos FC, with goals from Jenelle Edmondson, Shanic Thornhill, Amanda McKenzie, and Tiandi Smith.
League champions Guyana Defence Force FC were equally emphatic, dismantling the Fruta Conquerors 8–0. Sandra Johnson was outstanding with four goals, while Glendy Lewis scored twice and Zoruna Ali and Glengie Lewis added one apiece.
Barbados Clinch Thrilling U-13 Series in Super Over
Cricket fans were treated to high drama as the 2025 GCB/BCA Under-13 bilateral 40-over series concluded at the Everest Cricket Club Ground.
With the series tied at two games apiece, Barbados Under-13 were bowled out for 103 in 36 overs, with Ky-Mani Innis top-scoring with 37. Guyana captain Sahid Gajnabi led the bowling effort with figures of 3–25.
Guyana responded but were dismissed for exactly 103 in 28.3 overs, forcing the match into a Super Over. Barbados prevailed in dramatic fashion, chasing down seven runs in one over to seal the series 3–2.
Natarie Lavine and Sahid Gajnabi were named Most Valuable Players for their respective teams. Lavine also finished as Barbados’ leading run-scorer, while Guyana’s Lomar Seecharran recorded the highest individual score of the series. Kijanni Innis topped the wicket-taking charts for Barbados, with Jaden Ganpat leading Guyana’s bowling.
New Zealand Dominate West Indies in Test Series
In international cricket, New Zealand completed a dominant 2–0 series victory over the West Indies with a crushing 323-run win in the third and final Test at the Bay Oval.
Chasing a target of 462, the West Indies were bowled out for 138, despite a fighting 66 from Brandon King. Jacob Duffy was named Player of the Series after another destructive spell of 5–42, following his first-innings figures of 4–86.
Devon Conway earned Player of the Match honours for his outstanding performances, scoring 227 and 100 in the two innings.
