Last years National Super League champion, Joe Public,has arrived in Sao Paulo, Brazil, to contest a four-team tournament.
But the teams No 2 goalkeeper, Ayinde Abu Bakr, was not in the party. Two days before the team leftat the weekend, he was refused a US visa to enter the United States,which was needed as the team had to transit in Miami.
The former Queens Royal College goalie is the son of Jamaat al Muslimeen leader Yasin Abu Bakr.
His brother, Radhanfah Abu Bakr, who left for California on Saturday with the T&T Under-20 team, was initially turned down, but later granted a visa because he will be on national duty.
Joe Public, owned by CONCACAF President Jack Warner, now has only goalkeeper Kevin Graham on its roster.
Head coach Michael McComie may have to put on the gloves if Graham is injured.
The Eastern Lions will come up against Brazilian giants Flamenco in the tournament which runs from Thursday to January 17 in Rio de Janeiro.
The Joe Public players will overnight in Sao Paulo, where they will also play a training match against a local club team before travelling to Rio for the match against Flamengo on Thursday, which is being televised in Brazil.
Joe Public will later face Volta Redonda FC and Santa Cruz FC, before returning home.
Staff Michael McComie (head coach), Walt Noreiga (Assistant coach), Coulson Dick (equipment manager), Junior Phillip, Victor OBrien (Physio), Sam Phillip (Manager), Hubert Johnson (head of delegation).
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