MVP/GFF Women’s Development Football League 2023: Pakuri, Foxy Ladies start playoffs in fine style

The MVP Sports-sponsored Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Women’s Development Football League playoff got off to an exhilarating start on Saturday last at various venues, and Pakuri Warriors and Foxy Ladies Football clubs drew first blood on opening day.
In front of cheering fans, Pakuri Warriors defeated New Amsterdam United Football Club 5-0 at the St Cuthbert’s Village Ground in the Demerara-Mahaica region.

The home team took the lead 39 minutes into the game with a goal from striker Britney Poonsammy, and the crowd favourite went on to score three other goals to register a helmet trick, while teammate Sabantho Simon cemented the victory in the 61st minute with the team’s fifth goal of the match.
Meanwhile, Foxy Ladies came out on top against Essequibo United Football Club by winning a dramatic penalty shootout 4-3 at the Anna Regina Multilateral School Ground on the Essequibo Coast in Region Two.
A brace from Jencel Edmonson in the 21st and 51st minutes for Foxy Ladies, and one each from Aliyah Henry and Keisha Thomas in the 31st and 60th minutes respectively for Essequibo United ensured the match was tied 2-2 at the end of regulation time, spurring the penalty shootout.
This year is set to be an extraordinary year for women’s football in Guyana. The GFF Women’s Development Football League Playoff is an opportunity for players to show-off their incredible talent on a national stage.
Women’s Football Association (WFA) President Andrea Johnson congratulated all the teams from Saturday’s matches, and encouraged Guyanese to continue supporting women in football as the WFA works assiduously to give players more match time.
“Congratulations to all the teams. WFA, in partnership with the GFF, has put together an exciting playoff that is a pathway for players to be accepted into existing national programmes. We are committed to growing the participation of women in football in Guyana, and we encourage everyone to continue supporting the sport,” Johnson shared.
Over the next month, 12 clubs, featuring senior and junior national players, will play in venues across Guyana, inspiring a new generation of fans and female footballers.
The playoff is sponsored by MVP Sports and Urban Life.
The league was launched in June 2022 with 37 teams from across Guyana, and the intention is to give female players more match minutes.
At Saturday’s games, players exhibited a high level of fitness and focus, giving fans a look at what is to come over the next few weeks.
The 12 FC clubs in the playoff are: Bartica All Stars, Potaro Strikers, Essequibo All Stars, Foxy Ladies, Milerock, Coomacka, Pakuri Jaguars, New Amsterdam United, Guyana Police Football Club, Guyana Defence Force, Fruta Conquerors, and Santos.
The much-anticipated championship match will be held on March 23.