Sagitun GIRLZ – Photo Credit: Sagitun GIRLZ
By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The village of Independence, long regarded as one of Belize’s true football heartlands, is buzzing once again as Sagitun GIRLZ FC prepare for Sunday’s Premier Women’s League of Belize (PWLB) one‑match Final against regular season champions Napoles FC at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan.
Independence—also known as Mango Creek—sits in the Stann Creek District’s banana belt and has produced some of the country’s most competitive football programs. It is home to Sagitun, a historic club dating back to the Belize Semipro League, and to Altitude FC, champions of the Premier League of Belize. That legacy now continues through the Sagitun GIRLZ, who have become one of the dominant forces in women’s football.
The defending champions finished the regular season in second place with 25 points, just behind Napoles, and then powered through the semifinals with a 4–2 win in the first leg and a 3–2 victory in the second to eliminate Corozal Elite 7–4 on aggregate.
The rivalry with Napoles has been one of the defining storylines of the season. Sagitun fell 2–0 at home in Independence in the first round, but responded with a strong performance in the second round, handing the Belmopan side a rare 2–1 defeat at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium. And although the FFB predetermined the venue for the Final, placing it in Belmopan regardless of standings, Sagitun know they can win there. They proved it again on November 22, defeating Napoles at the FFB Stadium. With both teams having beaten each other during the regular season, Sunday’s Final becomes the ultimate decider.
Ahead of the Final, the club shared a message that captured the spirit of their journey:
“Proudly representing the Mid‑South!! Game after game, we ironed out our kinks, took some falls, dusted ourselves and got back at it! Though the season was extremely testing, we stood tall, we stood strong! We thank our coaches… for the collective effort and guidance to bring us this far! We gather ourselves once more for the final stretch of this journey! 1.2.3… Sagi.”
The GIRLZ know what it takes to win a championship. Last season, they claimed their first PWLB title by defeating Napoles over two legs—winning 2–0 in the opener and then holding a gritty 0–0 draw at the Michael Ashcroft Stadium to seal the crown.
Coached by Liz Zabaneh, Sagitun appear to have peaked at exactly the right moment. With the 2025–2026 Opening Championship to be decided in one match, the margin for error disappears. Napoles, playing in their home city, are determined to avenge last year’s heartbreak. Sagitun, seasoned and confident, are equally determined to defend their crown.
For Independence, Sunday’s Final is another chapter in a proud footballing story. For the Sagitun GIRLZ, it’s the final step of a journey built on resilience, unity, and the unwavering spirit of the Mid‑South.
The post Sagitun GIRLZ gear up in Independence for one‑shot PWLB Final appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Sagitun GIRLZ – Photo Credit: Sagitun GIRLZ By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The village of Independence, long regarded as one of Belize’s true football heartlands, is buzzing once again as Sagitun GIRLZ FC prepare for Sunday’s Premier Women’s League of Belize (PWLB) one‑match Final against regular season champions Napoles FC at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan.
The post Sagitun GIRLZ gear up in Independence for one‑shot PWLB Final appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
