BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE St. Kitts and Nevis national football team is currently in Managua, Nicaragua to do battle with the home team in an international friendly this evening (Aug, 31).
This is game is one in a number of international matches on the schedule for the Sugar Boys as they gear-up for the third round of the Caribbean Cup Competition later this year - where they are favoured to progress.
Speaking with SKNVibes Sports, Stanley Jacobs, General Secretary of the St. Kitts Nevis Football Association (SKNFA) explained that the team, currently in the Central American country, is primarily made up of youngsters from the Premier League.
This, Jacobs pointed is out, is due to a decision taken by the SKNFA to give them exposure before their crucial encounters later in the year.
“We are taking this match very seriously…For the SKNFA it is the continuation of our development strategy for the National team, as we engage the team in top-level competition in order to prepare our team for round number three in the CFU tournament… This game will also feature young local talent,” disclosed Jacob.
Noticeably absent from the list is national captain Atiba Harris, who is involved with his club’s - Dallas FC – participation in the Major League Soccer competition in the United States.
Jacobs noted that this opportunity gives the young players, who have never played overseas, the opportunity at top-level competition because the match-up would be played at a 30,000-seater stadium before a raucous crowd.
Asked if players were not being released from their various overseas clubs for the game, Jacobs debunked those statements indicating that it was a decision taken by the SKNFA to have the senior players sit out the game in order for the youngsters to gain more exposure.
The team consists of: Julani Archibald, Gerard Williams, Jamal Jeffers, Thrizen Leader, Keithroy Freeman, Clyde Mitcham, Javeim Blanchette, Orlando Mitchum, Vidal Hendrickson, Tahir Hanley, Justin Springer, Ordell Flemming,Salas Cannonier, Devaughn Elliott, Glenroy Samuel, Carlos Bertie, Kendale Liburd, Kimaree Rogers and Harrison Panayiotou.
The first whistle blows at 8:30 pm St. Kitts and Nevis time.
