S L Horsfords St. Paul’s United clinched the 2024 National Bank Group of Companies Premier League title in spectacular fashion, securing their championship with a 2-0 victory over DBSKN St. Peters FC in Game 2 of the finals at Warner Park on Thursday, August 15.
The win, coupled with their dominant 3-0 triumph in Game 1 on Sunday, August 11, solidified their status as the premier team in St. Kitts and Nevis football.
The final match was a tense affair, with St. Paul’s United taking an early lead in the fifth minute, courtesy of an own goal by St. Peter's Devion Harvey. Just five minutes later, Keithroy Freeman doubled the advantage, putting St. Paul’s firmly in control of the game. Despite St. Peter’s FC’s best efforts, they were unable to break through the St. Paul’s defense, and the match ended 2-0, handing St. Paul’s United the championship.
The 2024 season saw several standout performances across the league, with individual awards highlighting the best players and coaches.
Austin Huggins of St. Peter’s FC was named Coach of the Year, a recognition of his leadership and tactical acumen throughout the season. Despite the finals loss, Huggins' work with St. Peter’s FC did not go unnoticed.
The Golden Glove award, given to the best goalkeeper of the season, went to Zian Drew of Old Road United FC, who consistently displayed exceptional skill between the posts. His teammate, Omarion Liburd, was named Defender of the Year, acknowledging his crucial role in maintaining a solid defensive line for Old Road United FC.
St. Peter’s FC’s Tyquan Terrell had a remarkable season, earning both the Midfielder of the Year and Regular Season MVP awards. Terrell’s vision, passing accuracy, and ability to control the tempo of the game were key factors in St. Peter’s FC’s strong performances throughout the season. Kimaree Rogers of Village Superstars FC took home the Golden Boot award, recognizing him as the league’s top scorer.
In the finals, it was Omar Francis of St. Paul’s United who stood out, earning the Finals MVP award for his exceptional play and leadership on the pitch, helping to secure the championship for his team.
The SKNFA also celebrated achievements in the SKNFA Division One, where George Gilbert of Molineux FC was named Coach of the Year, and Vaughn Patrick of Mantab FC received the Best Goalkeeper award. The Most Goals award was shared between Sylvester Alexander of Mantab FC and Kurt Mills of Saddlers FC, both of whom had an impressive goal-scoring season. The MVP award for the division went to Josiah Bradshaw of Dieppe Bay Eagles FC, who was instrumental in his team’s success.
The SKNFA extended its congratulations to all the coaches and players who delivered outstanding performances this season, marking the end of an exciting and competitive senior men’s domestic football season. However, the football action continues with the SKNFA Youth Leagues, the Elvis Star Brown Women’s League, and international fixtures scheduled for the remainder of the year.
S L Horsfords St. Paul’s United’s victory in the 2024 Premier League has not only crowned them champions but has also set a high standard for excellence in St. Kitts and Nevis football.
Hurtig the hero after late goal sends Arsenal into Champions League quarters
Lina Hurtig's 89th minute winner ensured Arsenal progressed to the quarter-finals of the Women's Champions League after edging Juventus 1-0 on Thursday.
After being frustrated for large parts of the encounter, Hurtig bundled home from close range after Martina Lenzini's poor clearance to book the Gunners' place in the last eight.
Despite Arsenal dominating the early exchanges, it was Juventus who had the first sight of goal, though Eva Schatzer's effort was easy for Daphne van Domselaar to gather.
In a first half that saw just two shots on target, both coming from the visitors, Renee Slegers' substitutes proved to be the difference for Arsenal.
Slegers introduced Beth Mead, Stina Blackstenius and Hurtig late on, with the latter somehow putting Kim Little's cross over the bar from five yards out.
However, the Swede would atone for her earlier error, combining with fellow substitute Blackstenius to net against her former club and send them out of the competition with two group games remaining.
Meanwhile, in Group D, Barcelona edged closer to the quarter-finals of the competition with a convincing 4-1 victory over St. Polten at the Generali Arena.
The reigning champions are still three points behind Manchester City following their 2-1 win over Hammarby, and know a win against the Swedes next month will see them progress.
Kika Nazareth opened the scoring in the 20th minute after capitalising on a mistake by Kamila Dubcova, notching her second nine minutes later from close range.
Barca found themselves three goals up at the break when Vicky Lopez netted her first goal in the competition to put the result beyond doubt.
There was also a landmark moment for Alexia Putellas, who netted her 200th goal for the club with a well-taken effort into the far corner.
Valentina Madl took some of the shine off an otherwise impressive display from the visitors, who have now taken their tally to 20 goals from their four matches in the competition.
Guardiola agrees two-year contract extension with Man City
Pep Guardiola will be Manchester City manager for at least two more seasons after 2024-25, after he signed a two-year contract extension on Thursday.
The 53-year-old was coming to the end of his City deal, which was due to expire at the end of the current campaign, but he has opted to remain at the Etihad Stadium.
The deal itself will take Guardiola's tenure at the club to over a decade, making him City's longest-serving manager since Les McDowall in 1963.
There had been suggestions that he may leave at the end of the season following the announcement that director of football Txiki Begiristain was on his way out.
Guardiola was strongly linked with the England job after Gareth Southgate resigned in the wake of their Euro 2024 final defeat, but the Football Association appointed Thomas Tuchel last month.
“Manchester City means so much to me," Guardiola said. “This is my ninth season here; we have experienced so many amazing times together. I have a really special feeling for this football club.
“That is why I am so happy to be staying for another two more seasons.
“Thank you to everyone for continuing to trust and support me – The Owner, The Chairman Khaldoon, Ferran, Txiki, the players and, of course, the fans… everyone connected to Manchester City. It has always been an honour, a pleasure and a privilege to be here.
“I have said this many times before, but I have everything a manager could ever wish for, and I appreciate that so much.
“Hopefully, now we can add more trophies to the ones we have already won. That will be my focus.”
Having been appointed in 2016, Guardiola is by some distance Manchester City's most successful manager of all time, having won 18 major trophies during his time at the club.
That list includes their first-ever Champions League triumph in 2023 and six Premier League titles, including an unprecedented four on the spin.
He also boasts a 72.04% win percentage across all competitions, which is unsurprisingly the highest of any full-time City manager in history.
Shaw at the double as Man City progress in Champions League
Khadija Shaw scored twice as Manchester City beat Hammarby 2-1 to seal their place in the Women's Champions League quarter-finals.
Gareth Taylor's team entered Thursday's game with a perfect record in Group D, and their fourth win in as many European matches ensured they finished in the top two.
Shaw—the leading scorer in the Women's Super League this season with eight goals—put them ahead in the 31st minute, driving into the area after taking in Yui Hasegawa's pass before seeing her shot deflect into the top corner.
Shaw was booked for celebrating in front of the home fans despite appearing to have objects thrown at her from the stands, and Hammarby should have levelled when Julia Blakstad fired wide 10 minutes later.
The hosts did draw level three minutes into the second half as Ellen Wangerheim tapped home while City's Laura Blindkilde Brown was down appealing for a free-kick.
That parity was short-lived, though, as Shaw blasted into the top corner from 25 yards out, taking her overall tally for this season to 12 goals in all competitions.
In Group C, meanwhile, Bayern Munich lost their perfect record as they played out a 1-1 draw with Valerenga, boosting Arsenal's hopes of topping the pile.
Jovana Damnjanovic came off the bench to put Bayern ahead 15 minutes from time in Norway, but Elise Thorsnes headed home following an 88th-minute corner to snatch a point for the hosts.
Arsenal could now move within a point of Bayern when they face Juventus in Group C's other match later on Thursday.
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