Divine Mukasa played a key role as West Ham United U18s secured the 2022/23 U18 Premier League South title on Saturday, following a 2-0 victory against Arsenal.
The midfielder was introduced as a second half substitute at the Rush Green Stadium and provided an instant impact, netting his first goal for the U18s midway through the second half.
Gideon Kodua’s strike ten minutes from time sealed the three points and saw the young Hammers crowned regional champions.
Mukasa was delighted to secure the title after a superb season.
“We are really happy,” Mukasa told whufc.com. “It’s really lively in the dressing room and everyone is just having fun. I think the players and the staff are all really proud right now because we have worked hard all season.
“All of our hard work has brought us to this game, and we have finally done it. It feels good to get across the line, so we are really pleased and also relieved. It has been a great season and that is down to everyone’s hard work. It is a very welcoming environment and all of the boys are class so it has been a great year.”
There is never a bad time to score your first goal for the U18s, but Mukasa arguably could not have picked a better moment to open his account with the young Irons.
“It wasn’t a bad time to score my first goal for the U18s,” he smiled. “I came on at 0-0 and the message was just to try to impact the game. I always want to have fun when I am on the pitch and I did that today.
“We were pressing high and we won possession back. I drove forwards and saw George [Earthy] and Gideon either side of me but there was space in between the two defenders. I decided to shoot and thankfully it took a deflection and went in.”
Kevin Keen’s Hammers needed just a point to secure the title against the Gunners, but Mukasa says that the objective was always to win the match.
The midfielder was full of praise for the mindset of the team and suggests that the side are determined to finish the season strongly with an FA Youth Cup final still to come.
“I think today’s match sums up our season really,” he reflected. “We are a relentless team, and we will never sit off. We will always try to win, and we will always try to score goals.
“We have won the title today, but we are not finished yet. We have more important games ahead and now it’s time to prepare for what’s to come.”
