The TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) presents a compelling narrative of rivalry and reunion as defending champions Defence Force prepare to confront San Juan Jabloteh in a pivotal Friday night encounter at Couva’s Ato Boldon Stadium. The match gains additional intrigue with Isaiah ‘Bongo’ Leacock’s strategic transfer to Jabloteh after instrumental contributions to Defence Force’s unbeaten championship campaign last season.
Leacock, the 26-year-old striker who shared top scoring honors with 16 goals and claimed the Forward of the Season award in 2024/25, now represents the opposition alongside returning playmaker Lindell Sween. The 19-year-old Sween rejoins Jabloteh following a brief European stint with Croatia’s NK Jarun, with coach Marvin Gordon anticipating both reinforcements will bolster his seventh-placed squad against the league’s sole undefeated team.
Defence Force, operating as the Army/Coast Guard combination, currently occupies third position with 20 points from eight matches while maintaining two games in hand over frontrunners Police FC (22 points) and second-place Club Sando (21 points). Their defensive resilience and attacking prowess remain unquestioned despite Leacock’s departure.
The evening features a competitive double-header with former champions AC Port of Spain facing MIC Central FC Reboot in the opening fixture. Both teams sit narrowly separated in fifth and sixth positions respectively, promising a closely contested battle.
Concurrent matches across multiple venues include Police FC seeking redemption against bottom-dwelling Terminix La Horquetta Rangers following their surprising defeat to Prisons FC. The resurgent Prisons squad, now fourth in standings, confronts Point Fortin Civic while Club Sando tests their title credentials against struggling 1976 FC Phoenix.
The league table reflects intense competition with mere points separating contenders, setting the stage for a potentially transformative matchday in Trinidad and Tobago’s premier football competition.