GDF, Western Tigers eager for final clash

By Jemima Holmes

The stage is set, and two teams are on a perfect win record; after all, a perfect streak is the only way they would be able to make it to the grand finale. Nonetheless, both teams have worked assiduously to get to where they will be tonight, just look at the come-from-behind wins they both pulled off on Wednesday last, an effort like such is surely deserving of a final position.

GDF and Western Tigers’ Captains Sherwin Caesar and Curtez Kellman will both hope to clinch the BACIF Trophy when the game is done

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF), being the defending champions of the year-end Super-16 tournament, have everything to play for. Likewise do the Western Tigers, whose team was put together perfectly with one goal in mind, to win it all.
The National Track and Field Facility at Leonora, West Coast Demerara is surely in for a treat and a half tonight, as these two teams clash in hopes of pocketing a $2M grand prize.

Charles Pollard, KFC’s Pamella Manasseh and Kavin Pearce

With the ultimate football showdown set to take place, Head Coaches and Captains of the respective teams gathered at the KFC Vlissengen Road office to trade words on the eve of the final.
A confident Charles Pollard, on Western Tigers’ behalf, stated, “So, I expect a very tactical game. I know they’re a very strong team physically, Mr Wilson is a very tactical coach, but I think I have a young and exciting bunch of players at Western Tigers who are eager to prove themselves against this army outfit.”
In a rebuttal of sorts, GDF Assistant Coach Kavin Pearce expressed, “This opportunity to represent the Guyana Defence Force is an opportunity I grab with both hands. We’re here, the defending champions, we’re going out there, nothing else but looking for a victory, cause we represent the country.”
He added, “We secure the country cause we’re the Guyana Defence Force, so we’re looking to secure the football game and win it also.”
Even by the coach’s admission, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)- Kashif and Shanghai (K&S) Super-16 final will be a blockbuster event on New Year’s Day.
And verbalising similar sentiments at Friday morning’s pre-game press conference were the respective captains of the final teams, who shared the same eagerness to get onto the pitch.
“The biggest thing is getting to the finals, and it’s a very good game to play against Western inside the year-end finals, and me and my team are looking forward to it. I’m glad that all the teams are having a chance now to play the football that we’ve been yearning to play for quite some while,” GDF Captain Sherwin Caesar remarked.
On the other hand, Curtez Kellman of Western Tigers noted, “Going into this final, we are pretty confident, we have a positive group, as Coach Pollard said. You know, during the training camp, the energy we have there is very positive, and we want to take that positive energy into the game tomorrow and get the results that we want, a win.”
Following the teams’ representatives with remarks was KFC’s Marketing Manager Pamella Manasseh, who on behalf of the tournament’s chief sponsor appreciated the positivity exuded by the players.
“So far, I must say that I like what I hear, and KFC, which is Beharry Restaurant Holdings, we are very proud to sponsor this whole tournament, especially being involved with Kashif and Shanghai and the Guyana Football Federation. Based on listening to the coaches and the athletes and the positive vibes that they’re giving, we’re looking to continue to support you right through,” Manasseh stated.
“With that said, we’re going to be following this game tomorrow and making sure the best team wins.”
While first prize is set at Gy$2M, second place will walk away with $1M, third place $500,000 and fourth place will settle for $250,000. Aside from those prizes, there will be a number of individual prizes, the highlight of which will be the Most Valuable Player’s Diamon Ring, compliments of Tony’s Jewelry.