– Lake Mainstay FC draws bye to semi-finals
“Big goal” football is set to make a return to action in Guyana as the much-anticipated Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League Promotional Playoff kicks off on Saturday, January 11.
The tournament will feature seven teams from across Guyana, each vying for one of two coveted spots in the prestigious GFF Elite League. The teams who won the leagues of their respective Member Associations, will leave everything on the field in a knockout format showdown to determine who moves up to the Elite League.
The competition sees Potaro Strikers FC – Bartica FA, Paradise Invaders FC – Berbice FA, Agricola Red Triangle FC – East Bank FA, Mahaica Determinators FC – East Demerara FA, Lake Mainstay FC – Essequibo Coast Pomeroon FA, Pele FC – Georgetown FA and Uitvlugt Warriors FC – West Demerara FA, all in action.
Lake Mainstay FC, representing the Essequibo Coast-Pomeroon FA, has earned a bye into Semi-Final One, leaving the other six teams to battle it out in the first round of thrilling matchups.
The excitement begins on Saturday, with an electrifying clash between Mahaica Determinators FC and Paradise Invaders FC at 4PM at the Rosignol Ground, Berbice. The winner will book a spot in Semi-Final Two.
The action continues on Sunday (January 12), with a double-header at the Uitvlugt Ground, West Coast Demerara.
At 1PM, Potaro Strikers FC faces off against Uitvlugt Warriors FC, with the victor advancing to Semi-Final One against Lake Mainstay FC. Meanwhile at 3PM, Agricola Red Triangle FC takes on Pele FC, battling for the final spot in Semi-Final Two.
Semi-final matches will take place on Wednesday (January 15), at a venue to be announced. The respective winners will then clash in the grand final on January 18, with the winner securing automatic promotion to the Elite League.
The journey doesn’t end for the runner-up, however. They will have a second chance to claim a spot in the Elite League when they face Anns Grove United FC in a relegation/promotion playoff match on January 22.
Last year, Slingerz FC and Monedderlust FC made the jump to the Elite League. While they both were rewarded with $1M following their promotion, it is unclear whether or not the same incentive is being offered this time around.