ExxonMobil U14 preliminaries light up grounds around the country
Judging by the preliminary round, the 2025 ExxonMobil Boys’ and Girls’ Under 14 Schools’ football tournament will be an exciting contest, as several secondary school teams recently ensured they would be featured in the sixth edition of the competition.
In Region One, Waramuri Secondary’s boys and girls cemented their spots after several rigorous rounds. The boys defeated Kwebanna 11-0, Kamwatta 3-0 and had a 1-1 draw with Santa Rosa in the final round. On the distaff side, the girls overcame Kwebanna 2-0, Kamwatta 3-0 and had a 0-0 draw with Santa Rosa’s girls.
A look at some of the successful teams from last weekend’s preliminaries
In Region Two, Abram Zuil Secondary’s girls needled Kabakaburi 1-0 to advance while Wakapoa’s girls got the better of Charity Secondary 3-0 on penalty kicks to also advance.
For the boys, Cotton Field Secondary thumped Kabakaburi 6-0 and Charity Secondary needled Abram Zuil 1-0, to both qualify.
Region Three saw Goed Fortuin Primary Top’s boys getting the better of Nismes Secondary 2-0, Vreed-en-Hoop Secondary getting the better of Patentia 3-1, West Minster overcoming West Demerara 3-1 on penalties and Leonora Secondary edging Goed Fortuin 1-0.
For the girls, Vreed-en-Hoop Secondary cruised past West Minster 3-0 and Vreed-en-Hoop boys enjoyed a walkover against Vergenoegen.
In Region Five, Bush Lot Secondary’s girls got the better of Rosignol Secondary 3-0 to qualify while a tense encounter between Fort Wellington Secondary and Belladrum Secondary saw the latter coming out on top, 3-2, from penalties to advance.
Vryman’s Erven Secondary’s girls ensured they would be the Region Six representatives, defeating New Amsterdam 1-0 in the qualifier, while New Amsterdam’s boys got their revenge with a 2-0 win over Vryman’s Erven to advance.
In the boys’ competition on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD), Bygeval’s boys trounced LBI 6-0, Annandale Secondary edged Hope Secondary 1-0 and Ann’s Grove got the better of Good Hope 6-2. For the girls, Good Hope enjoyed a win on the account of an own goal, taking on Annandale Secondary.
In Georgetown, a nail-biting encounter saw St John’s College come away with a 5-4 win over Brickdam Secondary, Lodge Secondary maul IAE 7-0, North Ruimveldt sneak past Carmel 2-1 and Christ Church decimate Queenstown 13-0.
The ExxonMobil U14 tournament is set to get underway this weekend at the Ministry of Education Ground in Georgetown. The teams will be competing for a $400,000 grand prize in both the boys’ and girls’ division.
