Non-League and Academy football writer

This seasons’ (2025/26) Somali British Champions League now moves onto the semi-finals stage, following the conclusion of the final quarter-final tie earlier on this month, between Hilltop and Cardiff Bay Warriors, in which Hilltop won on penalties (6-5), after a competitive 1-1 draw in Birmingham. Hilltop would finish Group A as winners, earlier on in the year, finishing the group-stages unbeaten. Also in their group was Group A runners-up, OIR FC, who progressed over Manchester Powerhouse in the quarter-finals. And then qualifying in third place from that same group, was Newmont, who progressed over the two legs in the quarter-finals, against a talented Showtime Mash (Leicester) side. 

Newmont, who are on their best ever run in the SBCL so far, would actually have to come from behind against Showtime Mash, to take the second leg on to penalties, which they then won 4-3. Newmont are enjoying a really good run in the tournament this season, and they will now face last seasons’ winners, Hilltop FC, in the semi-finals. In Group B, Showtime Mash would advance into the quarter-finals as group winners, with last seasons’ runners-up and finalists, FC Olympia (Birmingham) finishing in second place, above of Manchester Powerhouse. Sheffield based side Tusaale, would withdraw from this group before their first game of the competition.

FC Olympia would face north London side Tawfiiq FC, in the quarter-finals stage, who had a 100% record in Group C, as winners of their group (Cardiff Bay Warriors qualified as runners-up from the same group). The first leg in Birmingham would finish 2-0 to FC Olympia, who then lost 4-2 to Tawfiiq at Market Road in the second leg. However, Olympia would book their place in the semi-finals, with a 7-6 win on penalties. And so OIR will face FC Olympia in what also promises to be a really good and competitive contest in the semi-finals stage. The great thing about both semi-final ties is how unpredictable they are, and how any of the four sides could go on to make this seasons’ final. Can Hilltop go on to win their third SBCL title, or will Newmont go on to reach their first final?

And then past winners OIR will look to reach the final again this year, as FC Olympia, last season’s quite unfortunate beaten finalists to Hilltop in Bristol, will look to go one step further this year.