FA Cup Update: Eight Teams Advance
An 8-1 demolition and a hat-trick headline a stunning FA Cup Round of 16 weekend.
BASSETERRE: The 2026 SKNFA FA Cup Round of 16 is complete, and eight teams have booked their quarterfinal spots after a weekend of relentless action across The Gardens and Saddlers Playing Fields.
Friday, March 27 — The Gardens
The night’s opening match saw T. Fraites & Assoc. Molineux Pitbulls eliminate Tropical Blossom Hot Spring Bath United with a composed 3-0 victory. After a goalless first half, Darren Brookes broke the deadlock in the 58th minute and added a second in the 85th before Quanieki Clarke sealed it deep into stoppage time.
But it was the second match that left spectators stunned. RAMS Village Superstars dismantled Mantab 8-1 in one of the most dominant performances the FA Cup has seen. Leading 2-1 at halftime, the Superstars ran riot in the second half. Caaja Burnham scored twice, Tiran Hanley struck a brace in just two minutes — the 60th and 62nd — and goals from Carlos Bertie, Dajhal Kelly, and Samani Williams completed the rout. An 81st-minute Mantab own goal from Jaquan Liburd compounded the misery. Arvil Challenger had given Mantab hope with a 31st-minute strike, but it proved merely a footnote.
Friday, March 27 — Saddlers
S L Horsfords St. Paul’s United were equally clinical, with Dequan Hamilton scoring twice — in the 24th and 52nd minutes — to eliminate KFC Trinity/Challengers United 2-0, handing the previous round’s nine-goal destroyers a swift exit.
MFCR Old Road United Jets survived a dramatic penalty shootout against TGE Dieppe Bay Eagles. Jardel Isaac struck early and J’Quante Fraser added a second, but Diandra Challenger and Jamar Johnson levelled for Dieppe Bay to force extra time. In the shootout, Nejohn Browne, Omarion Liburd, and Anwa Springer converted for Old Road while Dieppe Bay managed only Jamar Johnson’s solitary kick. Jets through 3-1.
Saturday, March 28 — The Gardens
Sol Island Auto Conaree turned a 1-1 halftime scoreline into a 5-1 romp against Rivers FC, with Mazari Hodge producing a stunning second-half hat-trick in the 46th, 53rd, and 60th minutes. Tijani Fahie added a fourth and Errol O’Loughlin had levelled before the break.
Development Bank St. Peters ground out a 1-0 win over Honda Newtown United, Kemenl French’s 71st-minute goal the only difference.
Saturday, March 28 — Saddlers
SKELEC Garden Hotspurs brushed aside CIBC Village Galaxy 4-1. Shervin Allen scored twice, Steve Archibald and Jamarie James added goals either side of halftime, with Akanye Francis converting a penalty for Galaxy’s consolation.
Azul Cayon Rockets wrapped up the weekend with a composed 2-0 win over St. Kitts Concrete Master Sandy Point. Malik Hendrickson and Akimbah Lawrence struck in the 15th and 17th minutes — Cayon never looked back.
The quarterfinal draw is eagerly awaited.