Haiti has announced a strong line up to face Trinidad and Tobago in the upcoming Copa America Centenario qualifying match in Panama City on January 8th.
Their team includes sixteen overseas-based professionals including the likes of Stephane Lambese who plays for Paris St Germain, Alex Christian Junior of Portuguese club Boavista, Polish-based defender Kevin Lafrance, Sebastien Thuriere of Charleston Battery, Sony Mustivar of Sporting Kansas, Turkish-based forward Kervens Belfort, Swiss-based defender Kim Jaggy and France-based midfielder Max Hilaire. They also have three players based in India, Mumbai FC duo, defender Frantz Bertin and midfielder Sony Norde, and Judlin Aveska of Mohon Bagan.
Haiti began its 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign with a 1-0 loss away to Costa Rica and a 1-0 loss at home to Jamaica in November.
Following a one-day break, the ‘Warriors” resumed training on Saturday evening at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium and head coach Stephen Hart indicated that the preparations have gone quite good so far.
Columbus Crew midfielder Kevan George and Jonathan Glenn have entered camp with Khaleem Hyland and Andre Bocuaud scheduled to join the preparations on Sunday. But Dagenham and Redbridge defender Justin Hoyte has been ruled out after suffering a hamstring injury in his team’s 2-1 win over Exeter City in English League Two action on Saturday. Hart is expected to name a replacement for him.
“Of course when we first came in the mood somber as everyone was a bit down because of what happened to Keron Cummings. But now the mood has been fantastic The training has been excellent. We have focused mainly on our physical preparation and a lot of ball work on trying to get the attackers working together because it’s a new group of attackers. All in all I am very pleased so far” Hart told TTFA Media.
With all the players coming in by Sunday, Hart added: “We’ll review Haiti and our own game plan extensively. The players coming in are playing regularly, so I’m not really worried about their fitness levels. I’m looking forward to that switch over part of the camp when we’ll have all twenty three players in,” Hart added.
Orlando City midfielder Kevin Molino also joined the team in training on Wednesday evening at the Hasely Crawford to engage in some supervised training as he prepares for his comeback following ACL surgery last year. The players and staff also visited Keron Cummings at the Port of Spain General Hospital following his operation on Wednesday.
The T&T team will depart for Panama City on Wednesday ahead of Friday’s match at the Estadio Rommel Fernandez. Panama will face Cuba in the second game of the double header with the two winners advancing to the 2016 Copa America Centenario in the United States.
Trinidad & Tobago Squad
Goalkeepers:
Jan-Michael Williams (Central FC), Marvin Phillip (Morvant Caledonia United), Adrian Foncette (Police FC).
Defenders:
Daneil Cyrus (W Connection), Carlyle Mitchell (Seoul E-Land—South Korea), Radanfah Abu Bakr (HB Koge—Denmark), Yohance Marshall (Murcielagos FC—Mexico), Mekeil Williams (Antigua GFC—Guatemala), Aubrey David (Deportivo Saprissa—Costa Rica).
Midfielders:
Andre Boucaud (Dagenham & Redbridge—England), Khaleem Hyland (KV Westerlo—Belgium), Kevan George (Unattached), Neveal Hackshaw (North East Stars), Trevin Caesar (Austin Aztex—USA), Cordell Cato (San Jose Earthquakes—USA), Lester Peltier (Slovan Bratislava—Slovakia), Joevin Jones (Chicago Fire—USA), Jomal Williams (W Connection), Ataullah Guerra (Central FC).
Forwards:
Rundell Winchester (Portland Timbers II—USA), Jonathan Glenn (Breioablik—Iceland), Shahdon Winchester (W Connection).
Haiti Squad
Goalkeepers
Steward Ceus (Atlanta Silverbacks—USA), Valendi Odelus (Aigle Noir AC—Haïti), Jaafson Origène (Don Bosco FC—Haïti).
Defenders
Méchack Jérome (Armada FC—USA), Frantz Bertin (Mumbai City FC—India), Judlin Aveska (Mohon Bagan—India), Stéphane Lambèse (PSG—France), Kim Jaggy (Aarau FC—Switzerland), Alex Christian Junior (FC Boavista—Portugal) Kevin Lafrance (Miedz Legnieca—Poland).
Midfielders
Sébastien Thurière (Charleston Battery—USA), Jean Marc Alexandre (Negeri Sembilan—Malaysia), Max Hilaire (Pau FC—France), Soni Mustivar (Sporting Kansas—USA), Constant Monuma (Don Bosco—Haïti), Sony Nordé (Mumbai City FC—India), Pascal Millien (Armada FC—USA), Junior Delva (Don Bosco FC—Haïti).
Forwards
Wedson Anselme (Aigle Noir AC—Haiti), Kervens Fils Belfort (1460 Trabzon Sport—Turkey), Jean Eudes Maurice (Ermis Aradippou—Cyprus), Woodensky M. Chèrenfant (Fica—Haiti), Duckens Nazon (Stade Lavallois—France).
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