TROY Lambert, head coach of defending champions Bent Street, affirmed that his charges are solely focused on defeating arch-rival Sparta Boss in their titanic semi-final clash in the Magnum Independence Cup on Saturday at the National Park tarmac, Thomas Lands.

This was disclosed in an official correspondence from the tournament coordinators.
According to Lambert, “Most obviously we are here to win. We are not participating to play, we are here not to play for second or third, we came to win and try to be consistent throughout the event. We will try to score as much as possible and defend well and get to the finale. We are focused on winning the tournament.”

Lambert revealed that the two-time winners are always happy to battle their fierce rivals, adding, “We are never scared of them. There is never a time that when we play them we are worried. It’s actually a job to us and it brings out the best in us. It’s a very serious rivalry. It’s a rivalry that we are always prepared for and the fans love and want to see. We are coming to play our game and get the win.”

He further said, “It’s like we are playing the final, given the quality of the teams and the way the teams play. It’s the two most successful teams in this format. It’s often in the draw we meet in the final and it’s always a very competitive matchup. Now everyone is coming to see us battle in the semi-final like a final.”

The resulting winner of the clash will face off with the victor of the other semi-final matchup between Gold is Money and Back Circle.
The winners of the tournament will collect the package of $700 000, and the championship trophy, while the runners-up will receive $400 000 and the corresponding accolade. The third- and fourth-place finishers will walk away with $200 000 and $100 000 respectively.

Meanwhile, the four losing quarter-finalists will feature in the Magnum Plate Championship, with the resulting victors walking away with $40 000. Melanie will lock horns with Future Stars at 19:00hrs while North-East La Penitence takes aim at Showstoppers from 19:30hrs.

The other sponsors of the event are MVP Sport, Nigel Hinds Financial Services, Andrews Supermarket, Bold Expressions Barbershop, Fireside Grill ‘N’ Chill, Star Party Rentals, and Lucozade.