Gibbs confident of KC semifinal spot in Manning Cup
Having played just one of three games in the quarter-final round of the ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup, Kingston College (KC) striker Nashordo Gibbs is expressing extreme confidence that his team will advance to the semifinals of the competition.
Gibbs hit a brace as KC beat rivals St George’s College 4-1 to begin the quarterfinals last Saturday at the Stadium East Field.
His two goals came in the space of four minutes in the first half, the first a well taken half-volley in the 14th minute, before he prodded home the second in the 18th minute as KC led 2-0 at the break.
It was the strikers’ 4th brace of the campaign and his first goals since the first round ended. Gibbs who now has 12 goals, said that along with the three points, getting as many goals as possible was also very important for his team.
“It was a great feeling, along with getting the three points. Coming into the game, the aim was to get the three points and score a good amount of goals, because in this round, goals matter. So, I’m glad me and my team went out there and got the job done.”
It was the third time that KC were facing STGC for the season and second consecutive victory after they had lost the first encounter. Gibbs acknowledged that the game was more difficult than the score line suggested.
“It’s never easy playing St George’s College. You have to have the mindset, the drive and the heart and that is what us Kingston College players have,” he said.
KC will next face Charlie Smith High on Wednesday before closing out the round against Mona High on Saturday and he believes that his team is now just one win away from the final four as they continue their title defence.
“One more game, one more three points, and we will be in the semifinal round, so I am very confident in the team, that we’ll get the three points and proceed to the semifinals,” he expressed.
Their next opponents, Charlie Smith High were hammered 4-0 by Mona High on Saturday and now find themselves in a must-win situation against the champions, which will make that game at the Stadium East Field today all the more interesting.
Kick off time is set for 1:00pm.
