KFC Goodwill tournament: Final clash between Waramadong, St Benedict’s on today

There were fireworks and surprises instore on Wednesday evening, when the finalists of the KFC Goodwill International School’s football tournament were decided at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground, Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown.

However, if the final goes according to the plans of the players who will be competing, there is sure to be an abundance of entertainment at the same venue tonight, between D.C. Caesar fox (Waramadong) Secondary of Region 7 (Cuyuni- Mazaruni) and St. Benedict’s College of Trinidad and Tobago.
Some of those expectations were expressed hours after the exhilarating semifinal, at KFC’s Head office, Vlissengen Road, where the final captains traded words.
The two teams secured their places in Friday night’s final, following two exciting semifinal games on Wednesday evening at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground, Carifesta Avenue.
In semifinal one, T&T’s St. Benedict’s were tasked with overcoming 2019 champions Annai Secondary, successfully ending their title defense in a 2-1 affair. Annai Secondary struck first, by way of a Davey Jacobus goal in the 20th, however, Jerrell Griffith’s 39th minute goal levelled the scores, heading into the half.
St. Benedict’s feverish pursuit of the game-winner came to fruition in the 80th, when Raheem Nelson found the back of the net to seal the victory.
In the following game, D.C. Caesar Fox (Waramadong) Secondary completely outplayed Christianburg Wismar Secondary. The contest looked evenly matched early on, until Waramadong’s Deomar Henrito broke the ice in the 33rd.
CWSS upped their urgency but were unable to convert, while Bevon Jones made it a 2-0 game in the 88th. Waramadong went on to win 2-0.
“I want to thank the Petra Organization for hosting the tournament and for inviting us as well,” St. Benedict’s Captain Connielus Hannaway shared at Thursday afternoon’s press conference.
The youngster went on to add, “The tournament, so far, has been very competitive. Good experience within the country. We’ve had a hard fight to get into the finals, plenty competition from the teams, plenty quality within the teams, but we’re going into the finals tomorrow very confident.”
“Although the team that we’re facing tomorrow had bested us in our previous meeting, we coming with a positive mindset that we would come out on top tomorrow and go back to Trinidad with the trophy,” Hannaway concluded.
On the other hand, Waramadong’s Raydon Kraimmer stated, ““Throughout the tournament, it has been really tough for us but we have made it through and now we are into the finals and we’re going to face one of the most stiff teams. So, myself, my team we will do our best to go and win the finals tomorrow.”
Meanwhile, the players and fans are not the only ones looking forward to tomorrow’s final, as KFC’s Kenneth Moonsammy and Esan Daniels wished the players well.
“Just want to wish the two teams all the best and may the best team win,” KFC’s Operation Manager Kenneth Moonsammy briefly remarked.
Home Delivery Manager, Esan Daniels further added, “Basically, on behalf of KFC I would like to wish the St. Benedict’s College of Trinidad and the D.C. Caesar Fox good luck in your game, I cheer you, I’ve heard good things. Organizers, fans, I would just like to highlight that the kids are our future, sports is a way of character building, so, I encourage you, I commend you on your work for this tournament.”
The KFC final is scheduled to kick off at 19:30hrs at the MoE Ground, tomorrow evening. At 17:30hrs, Annai Secondary will take on Christianburg Wismar Secondary in the third- place playoff.
The KFC Goodwill International Schools Football Tournament is sponsored by KFC, MVP Sports, Guyana Beverages Inc, Tiger Rentals, Trophy Stall; the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCYS); and the Ministry of Education (MoE). (Jemima Holmes)