Congratulations to Fatima College, the 2023 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) champions! They won it with one round to spare, and they have done so with style and what I would label total football. When they attack, they attack with full force, and when they defend, they do so with all hands on deck. They seem to play to head coach Hutson "Baba" Charles’ plan, and they all give 150%.
Their victory against Naparima College took me back to the 80s when the Fatima team of that era exhibited a never-say-die attitude. It has been the hallmark of Fatima teams, especially this present team when they again came back earlier in the season against an excellent San Juan North Secondary School with 10 men in the dying stages of the match to win 5-2. They did the same thing last Saturday when trailing 1-0 vs Naparima College. They were being outplayed by a determined opponent, who quite clearly decided that no team was going to come on their ground and walk away with the title. They were hustled by a team that was faster to the ball and showed more intensity and drive. It certainly looked as if Naparima were the ones on the verge of winning the title. Then, going down to 10 men and still trailing 1-0 all seemed lost for the boys from Mucurapo heading into added-on time at the end of the second half. However, scoring 2 goals in those 10 minutes not only won the game but, most importantly, handed them a trophy that has evaded them since 1978.
The achievement by Fatima College was even more remarkable, considering the school was relegated in 2018, and all seemed lost back then. They then bounced back with promotion the following year; then, the pandemic struck the league for 2 years, and it appears that all this time, the school was investing in their students. Winning the National Intercol title last year, the school must have started to feel the investment was reaping some high returns. So, if last year was good, the feeling this year must be one of total euphoria and complete satisfaction.
The final round game was played against St Mary’s College, and what a celebration it was. St Mary’s, as expected gave it their all to defeat the newly crowned champions as the intense rivalry between these colleges goes way back to when the Colleges League was first started by themselves and Queen’s Royal College. No matter what, both schools hate to lose to one another. Somehow, for all the guts and determination from the home team, St Mary’s College, they couldn’t defeat this talented Fatima team.
The runners-up of this year’s SSFL Premiership the defending champions, St Benedict’s College, as they were at home to Malick Secondary in the final round. St Benedict’s started slowly and got better as the season progressed. They have suffered from the loss of Tarik Lee and Nicholas Bobcome but still have some excellent players in Malacai Webb, Jeremiah Niles, and Josiah Ochoa, to name a few. Defensively, they are well organised, and I expect them to be very dangerous for the Intercol. Still, they must get past tricky games against Presentation College San Fernando and Naparima College, both from the South zone, before they can think of the National title.
San Juan North, at one time, looked as if they could win the title, but that shock defeat at home to Fatima seemed to have deflated their aspirations. However, I expect them to re-energize and come back to the Intercol all fired up. With the talented Lindell Sween and Nathan Quashie in their lineup, they should win the East Zone Intercol title even though the Arima North Secondary team would be tough.
I saw the Presentation College vs Naparima College game when they played to a goalless draw. I like Presentation. They are a well-oiled team, and they are the only team to beat Fatima this season with a 1-0 victory away from home. They surprisingly lost 3-0 to St Benedict's but still have conceded few goals all season, a testament to their solid defence. But if they can find a way to be more creative and score goals, their chances to win the South Zone Intercol are as good as anyone.
Naparima simply has to exhibit the football they displayed against Fatima, and they could also win the South Zone Intercol title. The winner of this title is going to have to work hard, and they would need more than just ability but the right attitude.
Arima North Secondary could be a fly in the ointment. Like Presentation, they are good defensively, not allowing many goals in the back of their net this season. They seem to be the only team in the East to challenge San Juan North and, on their day, can spring a surprise for the East Zone Intercol. Trinity College East was no match for the more established schools, and I can’t see them defending their East Zone title successfully.
Fatima will start as firm favourites for the North Zone title. They will have a host of schools trying to upset them. St Anthony’s College, after a slow start, did well in the league to finish mid-table, and they should be better prepared for the Intercol. Malick and East Mucurapo were far too inconsistent in their performances, and if they can come good on the day in the knockout tournament, they may create a shock.
What can I say about St Mary’s and QRC, except they were disappointing? Both schools have to return to the drawing board, re-look at their programmes, and start working at the Under-14 and Under-16 levels, which may be the only way back for the traditional colleges. Take a page out of not just Fatima’s book but the Southern colleges’ books, as they are just about getting it right.
The bottom three - Chaguanas North, Pleasantville Secondary, and Bishop’s High School were simply outclassed and need to understand what it takes to compete at this level. It’s all about setting up the right programs and sticking with a plan. It is not going to be easy, and it will undoubtedly take a lot of sacrifice if these schools are to rebound. Speyside High School seems to be the best out of Tobago, but school football in Tobago is a far cry from the days of Dwight Yorke when he represented Signal Hill Secondary. Hopefully, school football in Tobago in the next few years will start to take a turn for the better, as it is imperative to have a Tobago school presenting consistent challenges against the best schools in Trinidad.
All in all, the league met expectations. I hope the schools place a little more time on developing players, especially those coming up in Under-14 and, to a lesser extent, at the Under-16 level, so the fans can see more quality football. Well done to all the schools, and good luck in the upcoming Intercol.
SOURCE: T&T Guardian