By Anfal Hanif
It was two championship finals, two penalty-kick shootouts and the same heartbreaking result – when perhaps they deserved a better fate – for the 2026 Ottawa South United Force under-15 boys’ soccer team this season.
In the Ontario Player Development League Charity Shield final on Oct. 24, played in their opponents’ home park, the Force endured a repeat defeat to Woodbridge in PKs following a 2-2 regulation game, just like in the Canadian Player Development Program Championships back in August.
For captain Rafiq Eldadah, the result was difficult to accept, but he did not want one missed kick to overshadow the team’s performance.
“We had a fantastic game,” Eldadah underlined. “Penalties at the end of the day, it’s not something that determines who you are.”
OSU head coach Mohandi Mulay also felt the team’s performance was a source of pride.
“We dominated the game, possession, chances,” Mulay said.
WATCH | Ontario Soccer | U15 Boys | Ottawa South United x Woodbridge | OPDL Gary Miller Charity Shield 2026
Making it back to a championship final was a strong show of resilience from the group following their nationals heartbreak.
In their next match, the Force lost for the first time in their OPDL premier campaign, falling 2-0 to the Atlético Ottawa Juniors on the road at Millennium Park.
But the tables turned for the rest of the campaign as OSU rallied for a runner-up finish behind Woodbridge by winning three of their final four games, while AOJ went winless to miss the playoffs.
The Force’s rebound came despite the departure of three top players who moved to Spain after the nationals to join the Internacional Huesca academy – Luka Svilar, Ryan Aziaba and Yusuf Ahmed, OSU’s #2 scorer.
For Mulay, the team’s achievements reflected the contributions of the entire group, including players who stepped into bigger roles over the course the season.
“Even though they left, we still managed to get top-two in the league and make it to the final of the Charity Shield with no problems and even could have won it,” echoed OSU forward Abderrahmane Bouzidi, who felt the team’s positive attitude was instrumental in their success.
“I think we were the better team (in the final), and just on penalties again,” he lamented.
WATCH | Ontario Soccer | HIGHLIGHTS | Ottawa South United vs Woodbridge | U15 Boys Gary Miller Charity Shield 2026
Bouzidi was a scoring machine this season, leading the OPDL with 29 goals in 19 league games, and Woodbridge fully understood how much of a threat he was.
“They know me pretty well, so they know my strengths and my weaknesses, and they try to play off my weaknesses, they try to double team, whatever they had to do,” recounted Bouzidi, who thanked his teammates for helping to build up his confidence throughout the season.
“Even at my bad moments, they were always helping me to get better,” he added.
Mulay noted that there are many impressive individual players within the squad, but the Force’s strong finish was a credit to a total team effort.
“That’s why we’re a great team, because we’re a collective playing together and no one’s better than the other,” Eldadah highlighted.
PKs were not friendly at all to OSU at the Charity Shield finals. Eldadah’s younger brother Omar experienced the same fate while serving as a captain for the Force U14 boys, who also fell in penalty kicks to Woodbridge in their Charity Shield final.
Read More: Ottawa South United’s togetherness shines through following captain’s red card in PK final defeat
In the U15 final, OSU struck first in the eighth minute, when Emilio Bonilla hit the bullseye with his shot from the top corner of the box.
Woodbridge pulled ahead with the next two goals of the match however, until Bouzidi levelled the contest with a successful penalty kick in the 59th minute after Bonilla was taken down near goal following a free kick from Bouzidi.
Neither side found a winner in regulation and Woodbridge prevailed 5-4 on penalties to top OSU on PKs for the second time in a major final within the space of two months.
Read More: OSU Force U15 boys take national soccer silver on penalties
Away from the pressure of competition, one of Bouzidi’s favourite memories came during the nationals. After the Force’s third group-stage game, the players gathered at their hotel to watch another match that would affect their chances of advancing. When the result of that game pushed OSU through to the final, the group celebrated and then shared dinner together.
The Force are already looking ahead, hungry for their U16 season when they’ll get the chance to take another run at qualifying for the nationals at the U17 level.
Bouzidi believes the dual defeats in finals decided from the penalty spot can help prepare the group for challenges ahead, not to mention the fact that they may be due for better luck should they ever face a such a scenario again.
“I think that not winning this is probably a sign that a lot of good things, and trophies or whatever it may be, is coming for us soon this upcoming season,” he signalled.
OSU did celebrate one triumph at the 2026 Charity Shield finals. The Force U14 girls left nothing to chance in their championship game, taking down Aurora 4-0.
Read More: Injury-battered Ottawa South United Force find footing in time to claim Ontario playoff crown
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