Sankofa FC Crowned Champions at the University of Buckingham’s First Freshers’ Cup
Eight teams competed for the University of Buckingham’s first Freshers’ Cup on 8 October, as the Men’s and Women’s Football Clubs joined forces for an evening of mixed seven-a-side football at Swan Pool and Leisure Centre.
The tournament brought students together at the start of the academic year, offering an opportunity to meet fellow players, represent their teams and compete for the inaugural trophy. With group matches followed by knockout rounds, teams had to perform consistently to earn their place in the final.
**An Unbeaten Start**
The eight teams were divided into two groups of four, with each team playing three 12-minute group matches. The short format gave teams limited time to make their mark, making every result important in the race to qualify. Mixed Nations finished top of Group 1 with seven points, progressing without a defeat. Sankofa FC also remained unbeaten, securing their place in the semi-finals alongside the group leaders. In Group 2, Supa Strikas produced a perfect record, winning all three matches to qualify at the top of their group. Zamalek secured the other semi-final place, completing the four-team knockout line-up.
**Two Closely Contested Semi-Finals**
The first semi-final brought together Sankofa FC and Supa Strikas. Despite Supa Strikas entering the match with three wins from three, Sankofa secured a 2–1 victory to reach the final and end their opponents’ winning run. The second semi-final produced the same score line, with Mixed Nations overcoming Zamalek 2–1. The result set up a final between the two unbeaten qualifiers from Group 1, with both sides now one win away from becoming the first Freshers’ Cup champions.
**Sankofa Take the Title**
Sankofa FC delivered a decisive performance in the final, beating Mixed Nations 5–0 to claim the inaugural title. Having progressed through the group stage unbeaten and overcome the Group 2 winners in the semi-final, Sankofa completed their tournament with an emphatic victory. The champions received the trophy and medals, while Sankofa’s Papa Agyapong was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, adding an individual award to the team’s success. Supa Strikas finished their evening with a 2–1 victory over Zamalek in the third-place match. PB and the Scanners Return, The U.Ts Titans, Chicken Tikka Mo Salah and Naan FC completed the tournament line-up, each contributing to the first edition of the competition.
**Thank You to Everyone Involved**
Our thanks go to every player who took part and to the referees and volunteers who helped deliver the event. From setting up the pitches and managing the registration desk to officiating matches and keeping the evening on schedule, their work made the tournament possible.
We also thank the Students’ Union and Swan Pool and Leisure Centre for their support. Photos from the evening will be shared on the Men’s and Women’s Football pages.
**Join Us on the Pitch**
We intend to hold a similar tournament next term and hope to welcome both returning teams and new challengers. Sankofa FC have set the standard as our first champions, and the next competition will offer another opportunity to compete for the trophy. There is no need to wait until next term to get involved. Men’s Football trains on Fridays from **6:30–8:00 PM at Swan Pool Astro** and Sundays from **10:00 AM–12:00 PM at the Royal Latin School pitches**. Women’s Football plays on Thursdays from **6:00–7:30 PM at Swan Pool Astro**.
**Membership is £20**, available through the Men’s Football and Women’s Football pages on the Students’ Union website. Whether you played in the Freshers’ Cup or would like to join us for the first time, get in touch and come along.