This year’s Tonga Secondary Schools Football Competition (TSSFC) will see a new champion emerge in the U-19 Boys division. The much-anticipated final will feature a thrilling showdown between Tonga College and ‘Apifo’ou College.
Last year, Mo’unga’olive made history by winning the competition for the first time. However, their title defense was cut short in the quarter-finals when they suffered a 4-1 defeat at the hands of ‘Apifo’ou College.
‘Atele, after enduring a significant 8-0 loss to ‘Apifo’ou College in the earlier rounds, bounced back impressively. They thrashed Lavengamalie 9-1 in the quarter-finals and secured a 6-2 victory over Liahona High School in the semi-finals.
The last time ‘Atele won the U-19 Boys trophy was in 2019, in a final against Tailulu College. This year presents a prime opportunity for them to reclaim the title.
‘Apifo’ou College, on the other hand, is poised to end their decade-long trophy drought. Their team this year is packed with young talent, including players who represented Tonga in this year’s U-16 National team. Meanwhile, ‘Atele boasts several players from this year’s U-19 national team, setting the stage for an electrifying final. The exact date of the final is yet to be confirmed.
In addition to the U-19 Boys final, ‘Atele and ‘Apifo’ou will face off again in the U-17 Boys final. ‘Atele earned their spot by defeating Takuilau 7-1, while ‘Apifo’ou triumphed over Toloa 4-2 in a penalty shootout.
The Under-14 Boys finalists have also been determined, with Toloa set to play against Pakilau MS.
The Girls Division playoffs are scheduled for this weekend, with all finals expected to be played next Friday.
U-19 Boys Champions from Previous Years
- 2020: No Competition
- 2021: Takuilau
- 2022: No Competition
- 2023: Mo’unga’olive
With the stage set for a series of exciting matches, the TSSFC 2024 promises to be a memorable tournament as new champions rise and history is made on the football field.
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