TWO of the four teams for the upcoming STAG Elite League (SEL) League Leaders tournament have expressed a state of readiness ahead of the kickoff this weekend in Georgetown.

Present during a press conference yesterday morning, both the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Fruta Conquerors FC expressed a state of readiness for the competition.
Bilaal Nantambo, coach of the GDF team contended that his team know what they have to do come match day.
“We have identified a formation we want to work with and we will continue to work with that because there is always room for improvement. We weren’t really interrupted by the transfer so we didn’t have a major set of reshuffling to do, just the lengthy break that took its toll,” he said.

“We are just preparing ourselves. Keeping our focus so when the league starts, we will come out victorious and play the same brand of football we played last year and continue on our winning ways,” GDF captain Delwin Fraser contended.
Derrick Carter, captain of Fruta Conquerors FC, stated that his team are expecting nothing short of the top prize considering the various changes that have been made.
“Our preparation going into this half of the league is much better than how we prepared in the first half. In terms of experience, our team is much more boosted whilst in the first half, we were more youthful and our training session is much more intense,” Carter added.

“We are gelling because most of the players returned home. Their prodigal sons are coming back home. Most of the players with the exception of Konata Mannings would have played in the first season with Fruta or played some part with the team over the years,” contended head coach David Headley.
He added that there is a hunger in the camp for the trophy considering these changes, adding that fans can expect higher quality football from the Tucville side.
Also present was STAG representative Colin Stuart.

He noted that the company will be giving out a Gillette hamper worth $5 000 as a gate prize as well as crowd supporters will have a chance to win six packs through skill contests.
“Over the first half, it (the STAG Elite League) was a success for us and we are actually looking forward to better and more support in the second half, ” he stated when questioned about the company’s views.
The other two teams, Victoria Kings FC and Buxton United, were unable to make the press conference.

The League Leaders tournament will begin with its first double-header, featuring Victoria Kings FC against Buxton United FC and GDF FC vs Fruta Conquerors FC (Playoff #1 and #2).
This will be followed by Playoff #3 and the final which will feature Winner of #1 Playoff vs Loser of #2 Playoff on March 1 and Winner of #2 Playoff vs Winner of #3 Playoff on March 5 respectively.