A strong sixteen-member team and four officials will leave the island tomorrow for Antigua and Barbuda to compete in the inaugural CONCACAF Nations League from 6.00 pm at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium.
The home squad will feature a number of local debutants and international players when they play Antigua and Barbuda on Friday 7th.
The last time the two teams played each other was in the FIFA World Cup Qualifying Round in June 2015.
In the home leg, Saint Lucia defeated the Antiguans 3 -1; while in the return leg, Antigua and Barbuda had the better of the Saint Lucian team winning, 4-1.
On the FIFA /Coca Cola Ranking of August 16, 2018, Antigua and Barbuda is ranked at No. 126th and Saint Lucia 170th.
The squad includes Leon Alexander and GiovanniDeterville (goalkeepers), Alvinus Myers, Gregson President, Andrus Remy, Shane Paul, Jarvic McFarlane and ZackiusSimion.
Returning to the squad after a hiatus for close to five years is stylish midfielder Zane Pierre; Pierre has a number of years playing at the international level and by all indications, the technical staff expect a lot from him on the pitch. Pierre has represented Italian Club, Genoa, Croatian Club, NK Novigrad and W Connection of Trinidad and Tobago.
Saint Lucia will also have the services of Kurt Fredrick – W Connection Left Back (Trinidad and Tobago); ManalarMarlacky – English Based; Lester Joseph – Morvant Caledonia, Shervon St. Prix – Vida La Celba (Honduras) central midfielder; Otev Lawrence – W Connection (Trinidad and Tobago); Pernel Williams -Aiglon du Lamentin (Martinique); Melvin Doxilly – Caledonia -(Trinidad and Tobago)
While in Antigua, the 16 man team will be under the watchful eyes of Head Coach – Francis McDonald, Assistant Coach – Sean Kirton, Manager – Denver Edmund and Goalkeeper Coach – Aaron Emmanuel.
Saint Lucia’s next game in the tournament will be at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground against Haiti on Saturday 13th October at 8.00 p.m.
Following the Haiti encounter, Saint Lucia’s next stop will be the Cayman Islands on Saturday 17th when they play the host nation at 8.00 p.m; while their final group stage match will be against Aruba on Monday 25th March 2019.
Meanwhile, the SLFA and members of the Technical Staff travelling to Antigua tomorrow will meet with members of the media this morning at the SLFA Headquarters in La Clery to give further detail about Saint Lucia preparation and participation in the inaugural CONCACAF Nations League Championship.
