Soufrière Stadium prepares to host the highly anticipated semifinals of the Saint Lucia Semi-Professional Football League (SPFL) on Saturday, December 6, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s football calendar. The knockout stage features two compelling matchups: reigning Tier 1 champions La Clery face Canaries, while 2024 Tier 2 winners Vieux Fort South challenge Gros Islet.
This season’s playoffs adopt a standard single-elimination format, departing from last year’s Page system, with victors advancing directly to the championship final. The decision reflects the league’s evolving competitive structure following its sophomore season.
La Clery enters the semifinals as the tournament’s dominant force, having secured the regular-season title with an impressive 41 points from 12 victories. Despite enduring the tragic midseason loss of young player Ajani ‘Jimz’ Hippolyte, the squad demonstrated remarkable resilience, conceding a league-low 11 goals while scoring 39. Their only defeat came against Vieux Fort South in a 2-0 reversal during matchday 16.
Vieux Fort South, having achieved promotion in the SPFL’s inaugural season, finished second with 33 points from nine wins and six draws. Their offensive prowess produced 36 goals, second only to La Clery, while their defensive record ranked third with 22 concessions.
Gros Islet, the 2022 top-tier champions, qualified with 30 points from eight victories and six draws. Though their defensive performance ranked fifth with 27 goals allowed, their attacking output remained strong with 35 goals scored.
Canaries secured their semifinal berth through dramatic circumstances, clinching advancement with a last-gasp 3-2 victory over Mabouya Valley in their final regular-season match. Defender McArthur Louis emerged as the hero with an 86th-minute winner after Canaries squandered a two-goal advantage. The 2021 champions finished with 26 points, boasting the league’s fourth-best defense despite ranking seventh in scoring.
Key players will significantly influence the semifinal outcomes. La Clery’s offensive threat hinges on Uhann Shaquille Degazon, the league’s only double-digit scorer with ten goals, alongside experienced European and Central American veteran Malik ‘Showtime’ St Prix who contributed seven. Gros Islet’s Obafemi Poyotte remains another offensive threat with eight goals to his credit.
Historical match data reveals intriguing precedents: both Canaries-Vieux Fort South meetings ended in 1-1 draws during the regular season, while La Clery defeated Gros Islet 2-0 in their earlier encounter despite a 1-1 draw in their most recent fixture.
The SPFL selected Soufrière Stadium as the playoff venue based on its superior pitch quality, advanced lighting infrastructure, and capacity to deliver a professional match experience. The event will feature enhanced entertainment offerings, Fan Zone activities, and promotional initiatives designed to attract spectators island-wide.