Latest update April 3rd, 2026 12:35 AM
Two pulsating matches; one eventual champion as top teams go for broke
Gregory Richardson
By Michael Benjamin
Four weeks of pulsating football will come to a delectable climax when the two best teams, Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United and Santos FC clash to decide which is the best of the best when the finals of the Namilco/Fruta Conquerors One Love Football extravaganza is contested at the Tucville Ground tonight.
Indeed, following their decimation of the powerful Guyana Defence Force team, ‘The Hammers’ will be bristling with confidence and anxious to make amends for their ignominious exit from the 25th edition of the Kashif and Shanghai competition January last.
They have built quite a reputation and the pundits have labeled the team as the best locally. As such, the betting boys will want to cast their wagers on the Alpha unit because of their brutal demolition of their opponents during the tournament which climaxed with a 5-0 drubbing of powerhouse, Guyana Defense Force.
On paper, ‘The Hammer’ appear to be the better unit with an ominous strike force that includes Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson, Travis ‘Zorro’ Grant and Andrew Murray, but will be depleted by the absence of Dwight Peters who will have to sit out tonight’s game after receiving a red card in the game against the Army.
Nevertheless, Alpha will still be a formidable squad and still has Selwyn Isaacs and Anthony ‘Awo’ Abrams to fill the breach.
Santos FC earned the right to grace the field tonight after disposing of tournament favourites, Fruta Conquerors 2-1 in the semi-finals and would be keen to replicate that feat. It has come a far way and the victory over Fruta Conquerors has signaled a turning point to the fortunes of the team dressed in white.
William Europe is in ripping form and was the first to open his team’s account against Conqueror’s FC, Keshon Lovell has also contributed in Santos’ semi-final success and he will be on a high; looking to replicate the feat. He can expect support from Vassel Cantzelaar, Odel Williams and Ryan Seals, who in tandem had destroyed New Amsterdam United to merit their places in tonight’s showpiece. Should the trio coordinate, they could very well drive the final nail in the ‘Hammers’ coffin.
The GDF had taken a pounding from ‘The Hammer’ and one wonders if they are fully recuperated to tackle Conquerors FC and salvage some pride. The fact that they had dished out an almost similar beating to Northern Rangers early in the tournament is indicative of their prowess. The soldiers have quite a competent lineup inclusive of Marlon Benjamin whose hunger for goals has seen him topping the averages for his team. He will garner support from Delwyn Fraser, Ryan Morrison and Desford Williams.
While these players could change the fortunes of the team, they would also be cognizant that Conquerors’ players would be bristling after their semi final loss to Santos FC.
Dwayne Lawrence has proven his usefulness in previous matches and had scored the equalizer after Europe had sent Santos one up. The two teams had battled all of regulation time and it was only in extra time that Keshon Lovell had managed to separate the two teams, relegating Conquerors to the third place playoff.
They will want to restore some pride after losing on home turf. Against the Army, they will battle against a team of robust players that love to play it rough. One visualizes a match of David/Goliath proportions. It is this variance that sets up a match that fans will not want to miss.
The National Milling Company (NAMILCO) has increased the winnings handsomely which has amplified the keen rivalry over the past month. In introductory remarks at the launching of the championships, Financial Controller (NAMILCO), Fitzroy McLeod encouraged the teams to play fair so that at the end of the tournament “We could attest to a triumph for all of the teams.”
While his words still resonate, tonight’s proceedings can produce only one winner. Will it be Santos FC or will that team succumb to the weight of the mighty ‘Hammers.’ Fans would not want to miss the unfolding events.
The eventual winners will take home $1.2 M while the second place finishers receive $600,000. The third and fourth place teams win $400,000 and $200,000 respectively.
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