IN A RACE occurrence, a Division 2 side has put themselves in contention to win Barbados’ major knockout football cup.
Barbados Football Association (BFA) president Randy Harris told WEEKENDSPORT the 2013 KFC Champions Cup final between Mackeson Brittons Hill and Division 2 team OKG Rendezvous at the Wildey Football AstroTurf should provide plenty of fireworks with several past and present Barbados national footballers on both sides.
“This final will be an exciting one because it is an opportunity for the players to give and show their very best and use it as a stepping stone to move on to better things,” he said.
“It is very possible Rendezvous could be the first team in over 35 years from a lower division to win the Knockout Cup.”
Even though Rendezvous are playing in the BFA’s Division 2 competition, all 11 starters in their team have international experience for either Barbados or St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Three of them – the evergreen Gregory “Lalu” Goodridge, Barbados’ captain Jeffrey Williams and goalkeeper Kerry Holder – are former Brittons Hill players and can expect a cold reception from the fans of the Valery, St Michael-based club.
Harris said he had been particularly impressed with the standard of play from Williams, alongside the five Vincentians – Shandel Samuels, Myron Samuels, Norel George, Romano Snagg and Damal Francis – in the Rendezvous squad.
“His football has improved. He is really gelling with the Vincentian national players in midfield like I have never seen him before,” Harris said.
But Harris believes Brittons Hill, whose only knockout success was in 2007, would be going all out to ensure they take the first prize of $20 000.
“In their last [Premier] League games, they have been devastating and having been runners-up last year, I believe that they would want to stamp their authority on this team from a lower division,” he said.
Harris has encouraged the public to show their support for the players and the tournament by coming out in the hundreds and surpassing last Sunday’s biggest crowd for the season.
“Basically we really want the people to come out and show their support for the players,” he said.
During half-time of Sunday’s final, there will be a Kick For Cash event, with spectators being given an opportunity to win $1000 by trying to score directly from the kick off area at the half-way line.
Prior to the final, which is slated to kick off at 8 p.m., there will be the third-place play-off between Ellerton and Pride of Gall Hill at 5:30 p.m.
The evening’s programme will, however, begin with a junior exhibition match between KFC St Stephens and KFC Pinelands Youth Academy at 4 p.m.
After the final, there will be a presentation of medals and the trophy. (CC/EZS)
