Team Saint Lucia will play against Curacao on Friday in the opening game of League B/Group B of the CONCACAF Nations League.
This will be followed by a game against Grenada the following Monday (September 9) in the Grenada leg of the competition.
Saint Lucia is one of the 41 Confederations participating in the Men’s Senior National 2024-25 CONCACAF Nations League, which commences tomorrow (September 4). Saint Lucia is placed in League B/ Group B, alongside Curacao, Grenada, and Saint Martin.
The tournament will be played during the FIFA Match Windows of September, October, and November 2024. The format of the tournament has been changed to minimize travel and operational costs, with each group’s top three ranked teams hosting two matches each per game-day in place of the former home-and-away fixtures.
Head coach of the senior mens squad Stern John expressed absolute confidence in the players’ ability and the team’s strength to excel in this upcoming challengs. He presented the team formation, structure, and the execution of strategic plans at a media briefing, on Monday, aligning this development to the nurturing of younger players for future representation.
He also said that the Saint Lucia Football Association (SLFA) Inc. has invested significant time and resources in developing a “national programme” to empower players and produce younger talent to represent Saint Lucia’s national teams. Additionally, he said, the recent establishment of the Saint Lucia Semi-Professional Football League [SPFL] has added impetus towards the integration of semi-professional players with the professionals on the national squad.
“It is important …for us to produce younger kids, younger talent to represent Saint Lucia’s national teams,” John said.
He added, “So far, it has been working well for us, it has been tremendous and a lot more kids are coming out to play football in Saint Lucia, than before.”
SLFA President Lyndon Cooper reaffirmed the organization’s commitment towards the overall development of the national team and the production of professional players that can display quality representation for the country.
Mr Cooper stated that as the momentum builds up with different aspects of the game, “we must change the eco-system of the sport in this country”.
“From the onset, there are going to be changes to both the male and female senior teams (and the junior national teams) …so we can be in a position to compete,” Cooper declared, with goals set for future development and participation in a FIFA World Cup.
Saint Lucia will host Saint Martin for two games in October and then travel to Curacao for games against Curacao later that month.
Here is the Squad for CONCACAF Nation’s League:
Goalkeepers: Vino Barclett (Cavaliers, Jamaica), Lamar Joseph-Johnson (Enfield FC, England), and Darren Donaie (Gros Islet)
Defenders: Melvin Doxilly, captain (Portmore, Jamaica), Chris Forino Joseph (Bolton Wanderers, England), Alvinus Myers (Portmore, Jamaica), Arkell Jude-Boyd (Cheltenham Town, England), Canius Sandiford (La Clery), Sebastien Ribot (Gros Islet), Janoi Donacien (Ipswich Town, England), and Kurt Frederick (Grenades FC, Antigua)
Midfielders: Shaquan Nelson (Castries Central), Sherman Augustin (Grenades FC, Antigua), Ridel Stanislas (Grenades FC, Antigua), Leaus Henville (Mabouya Valley), Brandon Sandiford (Mabouya Valley), and Melvin Aurelien (Gros Islet)
Forwards: Caniggia Elva (Rot-Weiß Erfurt, Germany), Sherwin Simon (Golden Stars, Martinique), Baggio Edward (Gros Islet), Riquelme Lionel (Gros Islet), Donavan Jn Baptiste (Canaries), and Mikel Castang (Gros Islet)
Technical Unit: Stern John – Head Coach, Denver Samuel – Manager, Francis Lastic – Assistant Coach, Marco Masucci – Assistant Coach, Sabbatus Hunte – Physical Trainer, Bernard President – Goalkeeping Coach, Tiffany Anthony – Physiotherapist, Aquil Heuton – Physio/Masseuse.