By Ras Wadada
THE long-delayed season two of Guyana’s top flight football competition – Stag Elite League – will kick-off this afternoon with a double-header and march past of the six competing teams at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground in Queenstown.
After over two months of waiting, while four original clubs attempted to dictate the direction of the league in its second season, fans can now breathe a sigh of relief as the Guyana Football Federation guided by CONCACAF, the governing Confederation of FIFA for the region, will finally get the ‘Beautiful Game’ in motion.
The failed efforts of the four clubs have also resulted in their withdrawals from the competition and consequently the League has been reduced to a six-team challenge that includes two first-timers who will both appear in this afternoon’s opening games.
The three teams being talked about in football circles as the leading contenders for the title will all be on show this afternoon as well, but only two can walk away with the maximum three points.
The opener is expected to be full of excitement as the Guyana Defense Force under the guidance, for the first time, of Coach Bilaal Nantambu will be going all out for a winning start. Their opponents, Victoria Kings,under the direction of Coach Gavin ‘Jug Head’ Huntley will be no push-over in their debut Elite League fixture. Both coaches have expressed satisfaction with how their preparations went and are confident of doing well.
Nantambu who has been with the Army since August has indicated that his charges will be moving away from the more physical style they have been synonymous with over the years and fans can look forward to a more ball-possessing brand of football this season. His opposite number is relying on his experienced players and ‘never say die’ attitude of the Kings to disrupt the soldiers’ game-plan and secure the first three points.
After the opening match, there will be a march past of the six teams and brief remarks to officially declare the start of the new season.
The second game of the evening is anticipated to be more intense with Linden’s Bakewell Top XX matching skills against last season’s 3rd place finisher Fruta Conquerors.
Top XX and former Guyana top International, Collie ‘Hitman’ Hercules who is in charge of the Mining Town’s team expects his side to be very competitive and a challenge to every team.
Head Coach of Conquerors, Sampson ‘Benniah’ Gilbert,while boasting that his side must be considered a top title contender,stated that they will give respect to every opponent they come up against in search of the coveted Championship and $6M GY first prize.
The GFF in its efforts to attract large turn-out of spectators at games this season have reduced the price of admission to $500.