Haile Selassie’s Jahwan Payne was left beaming after his lone strike in the semi-final of the ISSA/Digicel Walker Cup against Wolmer’s Boys School propelled his school into the final for the very first time.

The decisive strike, the 10th of the season for Payne, came in the 65th minute as Haile Selassie continued to defy the odds against the more celebrated traditional schools in the competition.

Haile Selassie equalled their best-ever performance in the competition when they qualified for the semi-finals and have now created more history by making it to the showpiece final, this after not even competing in schoolboy football last season.

Payne was pleased to be the one to pilot his team into the final.

“It’s a great feeling to get the winning goal to send my team to the Walker Cup final for the very first time.

“Hard work got us here,” he said.

Haile Selassie is coached by Linval Dixon and Payne said that it was too much to mention when asked about the impact of the former Reggae Boy has had on the programme.

“Coach has done a lot to help. I can’t even talk about it all.”

As the leading scorer for his team, Payne is hoping to continue to find the back of the net and lead his team to ultimate glory at the storied Sabina Park.

“It’s a great feeling to know that we will be playing in the final at Sabina Park on Friday and I am hoping to score more goals and help my team to victory.”

Haile Selassie will face Tivoli Gardens High in the final after they too scored a 1-0 win over St. George’s College in the second semi-final at the Stadium East Field on Tuesday.

— Dwayne Richards