GFF-K&S Super 16 Cup powered by KFC Guyana: GFA trounce West Dem on day 1

…official opening set for today at Leonora, along with two matches

The 2021/22 edition of the Guyana Football Federation- Kashif and Shanghai Super 16 Cup kicked off at the Leonora Track & Field Facility on the West Coast of Demerara on Friday evening with Georgetown FA All Stars trouncing West Demerara FA All Stars 4-0.
However, the official Opening Ceremony and March Past is set for today at the same venue, and a packed evening of entertainment is anticipated, as a double-header is also on the cards. The action kicks off at 17:00hrs.
Fruta Conquerors and Berbice All Stars are set to meet in the opening fixture, with the loser guaranteed to walk the proverbial plank. This would be followed by the Ceremonial March Past of all the teams, along with remarks from selected dignitaries, including the organisers. After that, the main event of the night pits Rupununi All Stars against Western Tigers from 20:30hrs.
Already putting their hands up as contenders for the top prize of $2M are the Georgetown FA team which took care of business against a stubborn West Demerara combination on Friday’s opening night. Home advantage did not really count after all, as it took four minutes for the City lads to nail their opponents, who had put up stern resistance until the 68th minute, when the floodgates were opened.

The action ebbed and flowed at each end of the park, with the players trying their utmost to dust off the rust brought on by the lack of competitive action which has been the order of the day for almost two years owing to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
With the GFF and Kashif & Shanghai Organisation given the go-ahead by the National COVID-19 Task Force to host the tournament provided that players, officials and fans are vaccinated, many stepped up to the plate as the desire to return to competitive action on all fronts was evident.

It took Georgetown 68 minutes to break the deadlock, and it was as a result of a penalty being awarded after a City player was brought down in the box. Multi-faceted player Stephen Alfred, who will also relish his chances in the Futsal championship, stepped up to the kick, and whilst his initial shot was not gathered cleanly by the West Dem goalie, Alfred’s awareness saw him putting the shot away on the rebound, to the delight of his teammates and coaching staff.
The players were not even settled after celebrating the opening goal of the match and tournament when the City lads doubled the advantage a mere minute later. This time, Tequan Taylor inked his name on the score sheet. The resistance was sapped from the home team when GFA Captain Mark Jhalu headed in their third goal in the 71st minute, a goal which virtually sealed their place in the Round of 16.
Not satisfied with three goals, a fourth was scored for good measure off the boot of Daniel Ross with four minutes to full time.
Sponsors to date for the tournament are: the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport; KFC Guyana, Mohamed’s Enterprise, MVP Sports, Dinars Trading; DDL, with Pepsi, Gatorade and Diamond Water; Statement Investment Inc., HJTV & 94.1 Boom FM, Stars Party Rental, Namilco, Capelli Sports, Fireside Grill, Cevons Waste Management, Tony’s Jewellery Store, Daphne Foundation of New York, Ground Structural Engineering, Fast Lane Auto Spares, Bakewell, Pegasus Guyana, Cellphone Shack, Jim’s Variety Store, New GPC – Bobby Ramroop, Secure Innovation and Concept Inc., Fitness Express.