MANILA – Kaya Futbol Club-Iloilo claimed the 2024 Philippines Football League crown with still a match to spare following a 1-0 escape over Davao Aguilas-University of Makati on Sunday night at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Goal keeper Walid Birrou Essafi stepped up on the defensive end in the final minutes of the contest as the Iloilo City-based football club secured their second consecutive League crown.
The Spanish keeper denied a penalty kick by Davao Aguilas’ Ibrahim Ndour in the 83rd minute before he thwarted the long attempt of Daisuke Sato to preserve Kaya-Iloilo’s slim lead.
“This championship means everything for me. This is my first championship even though this is my sixth country where I play, and this is my first time to play in Asia. I am just very happy,” Essafi said in his Player of the Game interview.
“I think it is difficult in any league or country to be back-to-back champions, it is very challenging because all the teams get better for the following season and try to take it from us, but we showed our character and I think we deserved it,” he added.
Jarvey Gayoso, who played his final game with Kaya-Iloilo as he is set to move to Phnom Penh Crown in Cambodia, was the difference maker with his penalty kick in the 18th minute past the defense of Davao Aguilas’ Dini Ouattara.
“I am nervous because it is a deciding penalty kick but my teammates entrusted me to take it and I took their trust into me and I am happy that I was able to score,” Gayoso said.
“This team was everything to me. Most of them were already here when I entered Kaya, they trusted me and I trusted me, it is a long process for me to get ready for the next step and I am glad I chose to be with Kaya,” he added.
Kaya-Iloilo solidified their hold of the top spot with 37 points with 12 wins and a draw, creating separation from second running Dynamic Herb Cebu, which has 33 points on 11 wins and two defeats.
The Ilonggo booters, now qualified to represent the country in the 2024-25 AFC Champions League, will wrap up their League campaign against Loyola Meralco Sparks FC on July 13./PN
