Africa-Press – Cape verde. The Epif team from Praia won its third national under-19 soccer championship this Saturday, defeating Efsod, also from Praia, 3-0 in the final played at the 25 de Julho Stadium in Santa Cruz.
Eff’s goals were scored by Filipe, Alexander, and Fumacas.
Eff was the only team to keep a clean sheet in the group stage, and in the semifinals, it defeated Batuque de São Vicente 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw after 90 minutes.
At the end of the match, Paulo Monteiro, Efsod’s coach, congratulated Epif, who, he said, were deserved winners because, as he said, his players lacked the ability to concentrate and react, and Epif capitalized on mistakes and opportunities to score.
The coach expressed pride in his team, which reached the final for the first time.
Epif coach Odair Moreira expressed his satisfaction with the victory, which he described as the most difficult of the three due to the “generational change.”
He emphasized the need for soccer schools to educate athletes in all aspects, so they learn not only how to play soccer but also the meaning of leadership, as well as developing citizens with attitude and responsibility, among other aspects.
Epif was also honored with the “fair play” trophy and received several individual awards, including best player, best goalkeeper, and best coach.
The third edition of the National Under-19 Soccer Championship featured the following teams: Epif (Santiago Sul – Praia); Efiz (Sal); Efsod (Santiago Sul); Batuque FC (São Vicente); Sporting da Boa Vista; Sumbango (Mosteiros, Fogo Island), and Portas Abertas (Santa Cruz, North Santiago).
In the first phase of the competition, each team played four matches against different opponents in a single round. In the semifinals, held on August 21st, Epif, in first place, faced Batuque (in fourth place), and Efiz, in second place, played Efsod, in third place.
The matches of the third edition of the National Under-19 Football Championship took place from August 11th to 23rd at the 25 de Julho Municipal Stadium in the city of Pedra Badejo, Santa Cruz municipality, Santiago Island.
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