Jose Luis Seabra is a disappointed man, as it now seems unlikely that he will be part of Trinidad and Tobagos journey to Germany 2006but the Brazilian born player is still hopeful that one day he still may become a Soca Warrior.
After months of uncertainty, it was revealed by Minister of Sports Roger Boynes, that under the current law, a non-citizen must wait seven (7) years to be granted citizenship after gaining residency.
Seabra was granted residency in January this year which allowed him to play for T&T in friendly internationals and regional tournaments, but in order to play at the international level F.I.F.A. requires that one must be a citizen to represent their country.
Minister Boynes also said, if we go to parliament with the matter and grant Seabra citizenship, it would open the floodgates for a number of people who are currently in his situation.
Seabra was being seen as the solution to the problems that the national team is encountering in midfield.
Coach Bertille St. Clair used the talented midfielder in a number of friendly internationals and also in the recently concluded digicel cupand according to coach St. Clair the Brazillian born midfielder was now beginning to fit in.
The W Connection player expressed frustration over the latest development, he told ttproleague.com, playing for Trinidad and Tobago in the World Cup Qualifiers was my dream, I concentrated all my efforts in achieving that goal and on hearing Minister Boynes, I was very disappointed.
However, Zair as he is fondly called is looking on the bright side, he said, one good thing is that the authorities have not said no, they have just said it would take a little longerso I am still hopeful something can happen.
He spoke highly of this countrys chances of qualifying for the World Cup in 2007saying, I believe they can qualify, they have players with real ability and they just have to play the football they can play and hope the luck goes their way.