All-Manning, All-daCosta clash at National Stadium
Published:Saturday | January 14, 2023 | 12:31 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
A month after their 2022 Olivier Shield clash, Davion Ferguson, the head coach of reigning Manning Cup champions Jamaica College, and Lenworth Hyde, head coach of reigning daCosta Cup champions Clarendon College, will be on opposite sides again, this time marshalling the best local schoolboy football has to offer in the All-Manning vs All-daCosta All-Star Game which takes place today at 6 p.m. at the National Stadium.
The game returns after a period away, showcasing the players from both the urban and rural schools that excelled last season. The All-Manning Cup team led by Ferguson will consist of eight players from his squad who helped to capture their 31st title as well as the Champions Cup. Those players include captain Xavier Davidson, Jahmarly Bennett, Kevaugn Wilson and Maqaun Aldridge. Among the call-ups to the squad include Mona High’s Donhue Mitchell, Zhaine Pinnock, Damoi Whitfield and Akeem Bernard, St Andrew Technical High’s, Omar Reid, Shakeone Satchwell, Andre Salmon and Nickoy Gayle and from Kingston College Blaine Byam and Dujuan Richards who set the schoolboy football season alight with a 30-goal return in all competitions.
For the best of the rural teams, Hyde will have nine players from his Clarendon College team to work with after a season in which they secured the double after winning the daCosta Cup and Olivier Shield titles boasting the likes of talents such as Romeo Daniels, Devonti Hodges, Malachi Douglas and Okeemo Jones. Additionally, he will have a strong core from daCosta Cup finalists Central High with Shane Gordon, Anrick Gordon as well as semifinalists Manning’s High with Shamar Hamilton and Devonte Rodney. An awards ceremony will take place at 4 p.m. before the game honouring the outstanding teams and players from the season. Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association president Keith Wellington said last Sunday that the game will provide the opportunity for the players to display their talents to international clubs which may be interested in them.
“It’s an opportunity to recognise the quality of individual players and I think eventually what we want to see is an opportunity to highlight these players to international scouts, whether for academic or for professional persons who may wish to scout individual players,” Wellington said.