Non-League and Academy football writer

For the second year running it’s FC Olympia versus Hilltop in the final of the prestigious Somali British Champions League. Last August Hilltop came from behind to win an excellent SBCL final over FC Olympia 2-1, on what was a historic day for the London club. As they became the first ever side in the history of the competition to win it on more than one occasion. This Sunday’s final takes place at Hendon FC (Silver Jubilee Park Stadium) at 6pm. 

In a group (group B) containing three teams (following Tusaale’s withdrawal) in Showtime Mash, Olympia and Manchester Powerhouse. The Birmingham based side, Olympia, would secure a second place finish in group B. In the quarter-finals stage of the competition, Olympia would face talented north London side Tawfiiq. After a 2-0 home win over Tawfiiq in the midlands, Olympia would travel to Islington, to face Tawfiiq at Market Road in the second leg. Tawfiiq would win the second leg 4-2, meaning that the tie would have to be settled by penalties, which Olympia won 7-6.

A semi-final against Enfield based side and former SBCL winners OIR, would take place in June. Olympia would win that first leg 4-0, with them finishing that game very strongly. The second leg was forfeited by OIR, meaning that Olympia would book their place in their second SBCL final in the space of just over a year. Their opponents in the final once again, in Hilltop, were drawn in a tough group (group A) which included OIR, Newmont and Wood Lane, for this season’s edition of the SBCL.

In group A, after starting off with a competitive 2-2 draw at home to OIR, a late winner (with ten men on the pitch during much of the second half) over Wood Lane would follow in their second group-stage fixture. Before Hilltop won their final group game against Newmont, to finish top of group A. In a one off rescheduled (second leg) quarter-final tie with Cardiff Bay Warriors, the game would finish in a 1-1 draw. However, Hilltop progressed into the semi-finals after a tense 7-6 win on penalties. Two good semi-final ties with Newmont would follow. With Hilltop winning a quality first leg in Chiswick 4-3, before the second leg at the same venue the following week, finished in a 2-2 draw, meaning that the step 5 non-League side reached yet another SBCL final.

Over a year in the making, a competition which continues to go from strength to strength sees another highly anticipated cup final take place. I’m really looking forward to covering this Sunday’s final, after following and reporting on this season’s SBCL games since season 2025/26 started last autumn. I have seen many great games in the SBCL right from the start, in the group-stages. And this season’s final, which is of course a repeat of the previous year’s, promises to be a quality game. As well as it being very difficult to call.