KINGSTON, Jamaica —
A new chapter was etched into schoolboy football history Friday night as Excelsior High rose from the ashes of a 21-year title drought to claim the 2025 ISSA/WATA Manning Cup, toppling unbeaten Jamaica College 2-0 under the lights at the National Stadium.
In a clash that pitted tradition against momentum, it was Excelsior who rewrote the script. Kimarley Scott broke the deadlock in the 57th minute with a clinical finish that stunned the blue-clad favourites. Then, in the dying seconds of stoppage time, Kivann Salmon iced the contest with a composed strike, sparking wild celebrations in the Excelsior camp.
For Excelsior, it was more than a victory—it was a renaissance. The win marked their eighth Manning Cup title and their first since 2004, bringing closure to two decades of near misses, rebuilding seasons, and faded glory.
On the opposite end of the pitch, heartbreak draped over the faces of Jamaica College’s players. The loss was their first of the season—a perfect campaign unravelled at the final hurdle. Entering the match as heavy favourites, JC had looked poised to add yet another crown to their storied legacy, but Excelsior had other plans.
Friday’s result not only delivered the Manning Cup back to Mountain View Avenue, but also signalled a shift in the schoolboy football landscape—where belief, grit, and timing can rewrite even the longest of droughts.
