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Winning d’Cup, top marksman headline Smith’s goals
November 07, 2024
Munro College's leading goalscorer Antwone Smith is focused on leading his team to a championship, as he works hard at improving his performance as he goes through each round of the Inter-Secondary Schools Association (ISSA)/WATA daCosta Cup football competition.
The 18-year-old Smith, who is having a spectacular season - with 16 goals in the competition - told STAR Sports he aims to make his name like former Clarendon College player Kaheim Dixon.
"I am working towards elevating my skills like players who played in the league previously and are now playing overseas... I want to do even better than them. Football is my life, I dream about playing it every day. I am that passionate about the sport," Smith declared.
"I think four years now playing the daCosta Cup, I know I can contribute some skills and help this team win the championship and break the 60-year drought. I want to also be the top goalscorer for this season," he remarked.
The teen says he began participating in football as early as primary school level, and continued into high school at St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS), before transferring to Munro College.
"I went to Mount Osborn Primary and played from grade two. My coach at the time was Mr Rowe and he introduced me to it, so that is why I am here now playing," Smith said.
With the zeal to do his best Smith, who admits to "training hard", said he is recovering from a hamstring injury which he worked through during the round of 32 and round of 16.
"Training is going well so far; we train twice per day. The injury probably affected me earlier in the season. Currently, I am getting better, playing more and getting stronger each day," he admitted.
Munro should have kicked off their quarterfinal round campaign already, but the competition was postponed because of adverse weather from Tropical Storm Rafael, which dumped plenty of rain in Jamaica on Monday and Tuesday.
"The storm postponing the games has a positive impact," Smith related. "I have more time to prepare for games and a longer recovery time. As for the team, we have more time to train, we can build back as a team, and reorganise."
Winners of Group 2 in the round of 16, and now in Group B with Central High, Garvey Maceo and Ocho Rios High in the quarterfinals, Smith said he will not take any team for granted.
"Game by game, I will just play to my full potential. I wouldn't say any team in particular poses a challenge," he analysed.
In terms of his own game and what he can do better, Smith said, "I just need to have more confidence in front of the goal, more energy and hunger to score."
He shared that his parents and coach Kemar Ricketts are his biggest motivators, pushing him to thrive each day.
"Based on my background and the struggles I have to go hard and step up. My parents motivate me by telling me I can do it. They tell me nobody is special; I have to go out there and make a mark or name for myself. They push me to be more confident in my skills. Also, coach Ricketts always instils in me that self-belief is always the best belief," Smith said.
The quarter finals will resume on Friday with Munro College hosting first-time qualifiers Ocho Rios High at Munro College at 3 p.m.
