FOLLOWING the completion of the intra-association stage of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/KFC U-20 Independence Knock-out Cup, the National Playoffs will kick off this weekend with four matches on Saturday and three on Sunday.

All matches will be played at the National Training Centre (NTC), Providence, East Bank Demerara. The fixtures were decided by a draw held at the KFC main branch on Vlissengen Road, after the presentation of trophies to the respective association winners.

The intra-association champions were Botofago FC (Upper Demerara), Pouderoyen FC (West Demerara), Buxton United (East Coast Demerara), New Amsterdam United (Berbice Football Association), Timehri Panthers (East Bank Football Association), Potaro Strikers (Bartica Football Association), Queenstown United (Essequibo Football Association) and Strikers FC (Rupununi Football Association).

The draw was facilitated by GFF Competitions Director, Ian Alves, with players and team representatives in attendance.

In a twist, each of the teams is allowed three guest players during the national playoffs. However, the players must be from the respective Regional Member Association.
On Saturday, the Timehri Panthers will take on Soesdyke Falcons at 09:00hrs while New Amsterdam United will face Amelia’s Ward Panthers at 11:00hrs.

Following the morning matches, Botofago will clash with Den Amstel at 13:00hrs with Potaro Strikers taking on Dynamic FC at 15:30hrs.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, tournament favourites Fruta Conquerors will match skills with

Cougars FC at 11:00hrs and Buxton will come face-to-face with Queenstown United at 13:00hrs. Pouderoyen will battle Santos FC in the final game at 15:30hrs.
The Rupununi Strikers have drawn the bye for this round and will face the winners of the Pouderoyen/Santos game in the quarter-final stage.

The final is set for July 1 while the quarter-finals and semi-finals will be played on June 23 and 29 respectively, all at the same venue.