Former National Under 17 striker Nkosi Blackman is back on the football field and is promising to force his way back into the reckoning of National Team selection.
The 21-year-old former St Benedict’s College standout has been away from the scene since an accident in 2002 which left him with serious head injuries and out of the game for a long period. But last season, through the support of close family members and friends, the talented striker laced his boots up again and has been working feverishly to get back to his old self.
And now, former T&T technical director Rene Simoes is making attempts to have his former striker travel to Brazil to continue his comeback with the Bahia football club.
Simoes, now coach of the Iran Olympic team revealed to the TTFF Media on Saturday that a move is in the making but further medical clearance is needed for Blackman to be taken by the Bahia club.
“I remember this young boy all the time and if he can get anyway close to what he was back then at the Under 17 championship, then he can definitely be taken by a club. We re trying to see what options there are for him,” Simoes told TTFF Media.
“Trinidad and Tobago has enjoyed the success of getting to the World Cup and they must maximize everything that comes with it. This was a dream of Jack Warner, the players and the majority of the population.”
Blackman couldn’t be happier about T&T’s World Cup qualification and while he knows that the 2006 World Cup may be out of his reach, he is certainly focusing on wearing the national colours some time in the future.
“I am feeling good at the moment. I decided that after the accident I would come back out in 2005 and I was able to play with the South Zone T&TEC team under Jan Steadman and I got to play about 12 matches and I scored about six goals. I have not been one hundred percent and especially after the accident, I was not a comfortable player on the field but now that is all in the past and I’m feeling like I can do it again and I’m seeing good signs. I just need to get fully fit again.”
Blackman said that the interest shown in him from Simoes and TTFF Special Advisor Jack Warner has given him hope for the future. Blackman had been previously attached to Joe Public. He had earlier been on trials with English clubs Manchester United and Middlesbrough before the accident which claimed the life of his close friend Lester Salick. Jerol Forbes and Kenwyne Jones had also accompanied him on the trials and the latter is now attached to English club Southampton FC.
“Coach Simoes has been in touch with me and after he contacted me in August, it really made me feel as though there is still hope for me to play at the highest level again. At least I have the hope now and Mr Warner and Joe Public treated me very well. After the accident Mr Warner tried to ensure that things were good with me and I am thankful for that. If I can get the right guidance now with the training in Brazil, it would be the best thing for me at this stage,” Blackman added.