GFF Elite League Returns to the National Track and Field Centre

After a two-year hiatus, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League is back at the National Track and Field Centre in Leonora. Slingerz FC Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz views Sunday’s double-header as a pivotal moment for the West Demerara community to come together through football.

In the feature match at 21:00h (9:00 pm), league leaders Slingerz FC, who are currently unbeaten this season, will face off against the second-placed Western Tigers. Earlier in the evening, Den Amstel will look to secure three vital points against bottom-of-the-table Mainstay Goldstar FC in the opening match at 19:00h (7:00 pm).

“This is what football is all about,” expressed Shabazz, who commended Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr. for facilitating the return of top-flight football to one of Guyana’s premier sporting venues. This Sunday marks Slingerz FC’s first home game since their re-entry into the Elite League last season.

“Playing at home, especially given the challenges we’ve faced on the West Side in recent months, is a wonderful opportunity to bring the community back together… to get the fans out and engage with football at Leonora again,” Shabazz noted. He further praised the venue, saying, “The pitch is in excellent condition, and credit must go to the Ministry of Sport for the outstanding work done on the ground.”

With Slingerz FC’s impressive performances this season, Shabazz is optimistic about creating a memorable night of football. “Now it’s up to the teams – Slingerz and Den Amstel – to deliver quality performances and connect with the fans.”

Both matches are crucial for the league standings. In their first-round encounter, Slingerz FC triumphed over Western Tigers with a score of 3-1, thanks to two goals from the league’s top scorer Kemar Beckford and a goal from Leo Lovell. This defeat remains the only loss for Western Tigers this season, placing them second, four points behind Slingerz FC.

For Slingerz FC, securing three points is essential to maintain their lead, while Western Tigers aim to narrow the gap in their title pursuit. Den Amstel, sitting seventh in the standings with eight points—tied with Fruta Conquerors but ahead on goal difference—needs a win to avoid relegation concerns. Meanwhile, Mainstay Goldstar is desperate for their first points of the season, having faced a challenging campaign, conceding a staggering 94 goals in 10 matches while only scoring five.