An exciting day of sport awaits as the semifinals of the Saint Lucia Semi-Professional Football League (SPFL) take place in Sulphur City on Saturday, December 6. The 2024 Tier 2 champions Vieux Fort South will meet Gros Islet, and defending Tier 1 title-holders La Clery will battle Canaries at Soufrière Stadium.
In a switch from the Page playoff system used last year, the SPFL will revert to a standard single-elimination format for its sophomore outing. The winners of Saturday’s games will advance to the final, capping off a regular season of intense competition.
La Clery almost ran the board, despite the death of one of their young players, Ajani “Jimz” Hippolyte, in midseason. Their only loss on the field of play, however, was a 2-0 reversal at the hands of Vieux Fort South on gameday 16. LA topped the table with 41 points, 12 wins, 39 goals scored, and just 11 conceded — the best marks in both categories.
With nine wins, six draws, and three losses, Vieux Fort South finished in second place, with 33 points. They tallied 36 goals, behind only La Clery, and let in 22, the third-best defensive record this year. It has been an impressive campaign for the southerners after winning promotion in the first year of the SPFL.
Top-tier champions in 2022, Gros Islet closed out on eight wins, six draws, and four losses, for 30 points. The 2024 semifinalists allowed 27 goals, which was only fifth-best, but they were able to find the back of the net 35 times. Their season has been uneven, but they seem to be headed in the right direction at the right time. Overcoming La Clery, however, will be a big ask.
Canaries won it all in 2021, but this year they squeaked into the semis, passing Central Castries on the last gameday. Canaries, who figure they have significant support in neighbouring Soufrière, won six games, drew eight and lost four, for 26 points. Their 27 goals scored stood out as just the seventh-best mark in the 10-team league. But they allowed only 23 goals, the fourth-best defensive effort for the season.
Up front, La Clery will rely heavily on the likes of Uhann Shaquille Degazon and Malik “Showtime” St Prix. Degazon was on target ten times this year, the only player in double figures for goals. The experienced St Prix, who has played in Europe and Central America, also made the top ten, with seven goals. Obafemi Poyotte, with eight goals, is the only other player in the knockout rounds with at least seven goals to his credit.
The decisive five-goal thriller between Canaries and Mabouya Valley at the weekend was played at the Francis Baba Lastic Grounds in Gros Islet. National player Donavan Jn Baptiste put Canaries ahead after 22 minutes, and Jardel Mitchel doubled the lead in the 34th minute.
Needing to win in order to advance, Canaries appeared to be well on course. The Valley boys struck back, however. They too needed to win to advance, as they were just one point behind Central Castries, but with an inferior goal difference. Halftime substitute Neilbert Jn Louis scored right after the resumption, and Canius Sandiford evened the scores in the 52nd minute.
Both coaches sent on fresh legs in a bid to find the winning goal. It turned out to be 28-year-old defender McArthur Louis, who potted in the 86th minute to seal a dramatic win and advancement to the final four.
In their two meetings during the regular season, there was no light between semifinal rivals Canaries and Vieux Fort South. Both of those fixtures ended in 1-1 stalemates, but VF has had much the better of the season as a whole.
The last match of the regular season, a preview of the semifinal between La Clery and Gros Islet, was a predictably cagey affair. Aramis Gilbert opened the scoring for Gros Islet in the 25th minute, only for Degazon to equalise in the 67th.
Earlier in the season, again at Gros Islet, Degazon had scored the opening goal in the second half, as the champions beat the home team 2-0.
According to the SPFL, Soufrière Stadium has been selected for the playoffs due to “its excellent surface quality, strong lighting infrastructure, and capacity to deliver a professional match-day experience”. Entertainment, Fan Zone activities, and in-stadium promotions will support the event as part of a wider effort to attract spectators from across the island.
