Following a three-week break, Calabar and Excelsior High will finally look to settle their differences when they meet in the final of the ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel schoolboy football Walker Cup KO competition at 1 p.m. today at the National Stadium.

The last time the teams met on a rain-soaked pitch at the Constant Spring Complex, the best they could do was to plod their way to an 8-8 penalty shootout draw, with the game having to be abandoned due to bad light. Drawn in the same group of the Manning Cup second round, the teams again played to a 2-2 draw.

Planning to go all out

"We will be looking to go all out to win this one. It really hasn't been hard to keep the team motivated knowing what is at stake," said Calabar's coach Alrick Clarke, who despite already having two Manning Cup titles and several others, is yet to win a Walker Cup.

"It is left to the players now, but they come into this game highly motivated and I am sure they will be able to rise to the occasion," he added.

They will hope for inspired play from diminutive forward Aljay Cole, captain Kabari Palmer and leading goalscorer Richard Edite.

Excelsior will be looking for a place in history as they look to join St George's as the only teams with seven Walker Cup titles.

"It will be a difficult task. The players are a bit disappointed about not being in the Manning Cup and how they got knocked out," said Excelsior coach Leebert Halliman.

"In addition to that we will be playing a more experienced Calabar. Many of our players will be playing in the stadium for the first time but hopefully we will rise to the occasion. The game will be more mental than anything else," he added.

Excelsior captain Leon Powell is expected to lead by example, but will need support from Juvanne Benjamin and Valentino Fogo.

Excelsior and Calabar remain the only two unbeaten teams this season.

- Kwesi Mugisa