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Excelsior claim crucial win
October 14, 2026
Defending champions Excelsior High scored an important 2-1 win over Group B challengers Calabar High in the ISSA Manning Cup second round at Red Hills Road on Tuesday.
Habbie Mohammed gave Excelsior the lead after 25 minutes, but Daniell Dawkins drew the hosts level with a 34th minute strike.
However, Excelsior would go on to take all three points, when Rojawn Small capitalised on a goalkeeping error in the second half, to score from close range.
Excelsior coach Keon Broderick, said after their disappointing exit from the Walker Cup on Saturday their intention was to rebound instantly.
“Coming into the game after that disappointing result on Saturday the objective was to rebound quickly. The conditions made it difficult to play our type of football so we had to adapt to the field and they (players) did so really well, “ he said.
He added that they deserved the win, despite how they got the winning goal. “Important three points. I think Calabar are one of the best teams in this group and they gave us a tough game.”
After a brisk start by both teams, it was the visitors who settled first and took the lead through Mohammed’s strike, just past the midway point of the first half.
Calabar were always in the game and they showed their mettle, and equalised through Dawkins nine minutes later.
Six minutes after the break, Excelsior’s Damarley Williams thought he had headed home from a free kick, but he was ruled offside.
Moments later Williams unleashed a vicious shot after a long dribble, which Josh-Rushaun Blair parried into the path of Nickwayne Patrick, whose tame effort was again saved by Blair.
However, Excelsior would grab the all-important goal in the 73rd minute after a big blunder by Blair and Small was on hand to turn home the loose ball.
Calabar assistant coach Linval Wilson, said it was tough to lose the game the way they did, but that they must pick themselves up and move forward
“I think we did well in the latter part of the game. The last 15 minutes we went at them. It’s unfortunate that we gave up a soft goal. But we will get better from here,” he said.
