T&T men’s senior team head coach Stephen Hart has announced a 23-man squad for the upcoming Copa America Centenario qualifying match against Haiti scheduled for the Rommel Fernandez Stadium in Panama City on January 8th, 2016. The squad has one newcomer in DirecTV W Connection’s Jomal Williams with just two regular senior team members from the recent line ups against the United States and Guatemala missing.
They are captain Kenwyne Jones and defender Sheldon Bateau who are both unavailable due to club commitments as the match does not fall within a FIFA international match window. Central FC midfielder Ataulla Guerra has also earned a recall to the squad.
The rest of the team includes several players who have been part of the squad throughout 2015 including goalkeepers Jan Michael Williams and Marvin Phillip, midfielders Andre Boucaud, Keron Cummings, Khaleem Hyland, US-based quartet Joevin Jones, Cordell Cato, Kevan George and Trevin Caesar, forward Jonathan Glenn and Willis Plaza, defenders Radanfah Abu Bakr, Daneil Cyrus, Mekeil Williams, Yohance Marshall, Aubrey David and Justin Hoyte.
Former national under 20 captain Neveal Hackshaw is also included. “We are grateful to the Association for resolving the team issues and now we will begin preparation for the Copa Qualification,” Hart told TTFA Media on Christmas Eve.
“The importance of the game speaks for itself, however, the importance of actually playing in the Copa America cannot be measured. The experience of playing in such a prestigious tournament, against the best teams in South America and the CONCACAF, is not something that can be taught. All aspects of a player’s and team’s footballing ability will tested for over 90 minutes,” Hart continued.
“The game against Haiti is simply a stepping stone. The staff and myself have strived for consistency and the player selection is an indication of this. The challenge now for the players selected, is to perform in camp and compete for their starting positions,” he concluded.
Squad
Marvin Phillip, Aubrey David, Joevin Jones, Carlyle Mitchell, Daneil Cyrus, Radanfah Abu Bakr, Jonathan Glenn, Khaleem Hyland, Willis Plaza, Keron Cummings, Ataulla Guerra, Cordell Cato, Andre Boucaud, Neveal Hackshaw, Justin Hoyte, Mekeil Williams, Yohance Marshall, Kevan George, Trevin Caesar, Jan Michael Williams, Adrian Foncette, Lester Peltier, Jomal Williams