Contrasting wins for Chase, KC as KFC Goodwill kicks off

There were goals galore to witness on Sunday afternoon as the sixth edition of the KFC Goodwill International Schools Football tournament kicked off at the Queen’s College Ground, Thomas Lands.
Defending champions Chase’s Academic Foundation sent a massive statement to the rest of the competition, in an opening game that thrilled the smattering of fans at the venue while Jamaica’s Kingston College followed up with a narrow, nail-biting win.

Earlier, the eight participating schools from Guyana, Brazil, Jamaica, Suriname, The Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago offered a vibrant parade of colours in the customary march-past ceremony.
Before Minister within the Sport Ministry, Steven Jacobs could take a shot on goal for the tournament’s official kick-off, the former cricketer-turned-politician highlighted Guyana’s potential as a sporting destination in the Caribbean, pledging his Government’s continued support to sport development in the country.
“I want to also say that Guyana is officially a sporting destination. If you look at what happened in Guyana over the last month, in the FIBA Women’s Championship, in IGG [Inter-Guiana Games] and in the Hockey Festival, currently; you also have a touring Barbados Under-13 team in cricket. You can officially announce that Guyana is a sporting destination, and this is what we want to continue to do; give our athletes a platform, give our athletes a chance. Also, bring persons to Guyana so they can experience our warmth and our hospitality,” Jacobs expressed.

Sport Minister Jacobs went on to assure, “If you look at these photographs and the flags up here, it tells an important story of how sport can bring persons together, and that is why the Government of Guyana will continue to invest in sport so that our athletes will be provided with a platform to succeed.”
Meanwhile, KFC Guyana Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Paul Subryan, speaking to his company’s involvement in the competition, remarked, “I stand before you with an immense sense of pride, seeing that this tournament has transcended our borders and has now included teams from The Bahamas, teams from Brazil, from Trinidad, Suriname and Jamaica. All these guys are powerhouses when it comes to football, we are too, make no mistake, but given corporate social responsibility and continued support from Private Sector organisations and from the Government as well, I believe that we have the talent locally here to get where we are entitled to be.”
When the on-field action kicked off, the defending champions proved too hot to handle, sending a strong message to the rest of the field with their 24-1 massacre of the Bahamas Anglican Central Education Authority (ACEA) Select.
Bryan Wharton opened the scoring in the fourth minute, quickly making it a 2-0 affair by the sixth. Thereafter, a hail of goals stormed down on the hapless ACEA, who just could not contain the tournament’s defending champions.
Wharton went on to net a stunning nine goals, adding to his tally in the 18th, 38th, 40th, 43rd, 48th, 51st, and 57th minutes, leading the charts for the highest goal-scorer award early on. Isaiah Ifill was another marksman to watch, finding the back of the nets in the 13th, 45th, 64th and 84th minutes. Shaquan David (22nd, 60th) and Whitney King (20th, 29th) both netted braces while solitary goals came off the boots of Kemron Pellew (26th), Onesi Dunn (36th), Nyron Barrow (42nd), Mark Glasgow (55th), Germine Garrett and Neeiaz Baksh (88th). With the addition of an own goal in the 71st, Chase pushed their tally to an astounding 24.
Marvin Sands had the only response for ACEA, sinking a penalty opportunity in the 43rd minute.

A thriller of a match-up followed, with fans left on the edge of their seats as West Ruimveldt Secondary took on Jamaica’s Kingston College.
The rollercoaster began with Kingston College’s Ricardo Gibson beating the keeper in the fifth minute; however, West Ruimveldt’s Joel Griffith levelled the scores 13 minutes later. West’s Captain Jeremiah Griffith then gave his team a strong lead with a shot across the goal in the 32nd minute and a successful penalty opportunity in the 41st.
Though West led at half-time, Kingston College showed their mettle in working to close the deficit. Davion Clarke’s shot in the 48th minute was badly gathered by the goalkeeper, rolling over the line for a goal, but Griffith would be gifted another penalty, therefore extending West’s lead to 4-2.
KC’s Clarke completed his brace in the 74th minute while Adriel Fisher’s brace in the 70th and 75th handed KC the lead for a second time. Griffith again showed up for West, netting in the 81st minute to equalise, but, unfortunately, for the Guyanese side, a smooth combination play from the Jamaicans helped Nthanda Scott find the game-winner in the 87th minute of the 6-5 affair.
While the KFC Goodwill on-field action is set to continue on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, the teams will take a break today for some enjoyment during the tournament’s “Cultural Night” at the Umana Yana.