Slingerz FC find their missing champion in Kelsey Benjamin

Story and Photos by Jemima Holmes

If the Slingerz Football Club were hunting for a match winner and an all-out champion in the January 2025 transfer window, then they have found it in Kelsey Benjamin.
That is by the player’s own estimation, as he disclosed that the only thing missing from his new club for the upcoming Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League Season Seven is a champion which they have found in him.
The prolific and well-loved striker was at the time exclusively speaking with <Guyana Times Sport about his aspirations for the season ahead.
“A champion, that’s the only thing missing and I’ll stay with that,” Benjamin told this publication with a smile.
The striker previously spent most of his time in senior football, plying his trade for the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Football Club but opted for a chance of scenery this season. However, from the way Benjamin described it, the scenery is as different as it is similar.
He explained, “First of all, it’s no different, because the players in this team is players that I started with mostly, coming from youth level in the national team. So, we understand each other. It’s just like I coming from a home to another home.”

Like any of the scores of other players in the League, Benjamin has high hopes for the approaching season. The 2024 season was, by Benjamin’s own admission, not his best and as such, the forward is eager to get back to the top of his game.
“I want to get back to my 2023 standard and bring a lot to Slingerz team, also with the national team. I have a lot to bring to those teams this year and that’s what I’m looking forward to mostly,” Benjamin revealed.
Quizzed about getting back to a competitive level after suffering an untimely injury, Benjamin highlighted that it was very difficult.
He explained, “To be honest, you’ve got to be very motivated to come back from an injury, especially if you was on a top form. I had to fight my way back into the national team.
“Last year was not the best year for me, because I had to work my way back into the national team and it did not go well, but this year will be a blessing,” Banjamin assured.
With his introduction and those of several internationally-based players like Jamaica’s Romaine Brackenridge and Kemar Beckford alongside Canada’s Terique Mohammed; Benjamin is confident that it will all come together for Slingerz FC this year.
He opined, “I feel we could go very far. As I said, the team just needed a champion and somebody with the right motivation to help the players achieve what them want. We get a good group and with the international players also I know them. So, we got that understanding going forward.”
“Yeah, for sure,” the forward concluded on Slingerz’ chances of lifting the Elite League’s Championship trophy this year.
The GFF Elite League is set to kick off in two weeks’ time on Sunday, March 9.