Potaro Strikers, Timehri United advance in Elite League Qualification Play-offs

Potaro Strikers FC and Timehri United FC secured places in the next round of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League Qualification Play-offs on Saturday evening, following hard-fought victories at the National Training Centre (NTC), Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).
The playoff tournament, which will determine qualification for the 2026/2027 Elite League season, opened before a modest gathering of supporters with two closely contested matches.
Potaro Strikers emerged victorious in the opening encounter after edging Paradise Invaders FC 4-3 on penalties following an entertaining 2-2 draw in regulation time.
Paradise took the lead in the 27th minute through Titus Webster and carried that advantage into the halftime interval. Potaro responded in the second half when Joshua James found the equaliser in the 70th minute.
The match produced a dramatic finish as both teams exchanged goals late in the contest. Javell Fraser restored Paradise’s lead in the 83rd minute, only for Cobi-Rhy Jones to level the score for Potaro a minute later. With the teams deadlocked at the final whistle, the contest was decided from the penalty spot, where Potaro held their nerve to advance.

In the second match of the evening, Timehri United defeated Mahaica Determinators FC 1-0 to book their place in the next round.
The decisive moment came in the 56th minute when Keyron Williams found the back of the net, giving Timehri a lead they successfully defended for the remainder of the match.
The play-offs continued on Sunday evening, with Beavers FC of West Demerara facing Queenstown United of Essequibo. The outcome of that encounter will be reported on in a subsequent story.
Potaro Strikers will next face Georgetown representative Camptown FC, who received a bye into the second round of the competition, while Timehri United will take on the winner of the Beavers FC and Queenstown United clash.
Those semifinal matches are scheduled for Wednesday at the NTC, with the winners advancing to the playoff final on Sunday, June 21, at the same venue.
The winners of the final will secure direct qualification to the 2026/2027 GFF Elite League season, while the runners-up will have a second opportunity to earn promotion when they face Fruta Conquerors in a playoff for the remaining place in Guyana’s top-tier football competition.