This country’s Men’s Under-17 national football team will travel to Jamaica from May 1-8, for a residential training camp inclusive of three friendly matches versus Jamaica’s U-17s and a club side.
The current T&T U-17 selection features several players who have graduated from the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association High Performance Programme and competed at the CONCACAF Boys Under-15 Championship in the Dominican Republic last August, recording memorable wins against Costa Rica and Qatar.
The team, which has been under the guidance of Shawn Cooper since 2023, was initially undergoing preparations for the CONCACAF Men’s U-17 Qualifiers, first slated to be held in August 2024. However, on April 18, CONCACAF issued a circular advising that the Qualifying matches for the FIFA Under-17 Men’s World Cup was now moved from 2024 to 2025.
This therefore meant that there would be additional time for preparations for the CONCACAF U-17 Championship.
A release yesterday stated that the TTFA felt it would be best to provide opportunities for the national team to face international opposition and further dates for camps and talent identification are continuing to be identified for the rest of 2024 ahead of the qualifiers in 2025.
While in Jamaica, the U-17 boys will play Jamaica on Friday and Sunday before concluding their trip with a friendly versus a club team next week Tuesday.
This initiative is in line with the TTFA’s application to the FIFA Talent Development Scheme which aims to provide additional resources to member associations for the elite youth national teams.
TTFA President Kieron Edwards insisted that there will be continuous efforts to provide opportunities for exposure and match preparation for the various national teams.
“In keeping with the executive’s mantra to strengthen partnerships and our relationship with our brothers in CFU, we are pleased to be embarking on this journey to Jamaica,” said Edwards.
“Despite the challenges, the commitment to the continued development of our high-performance programme shines through. This trip marks a pivotal step towards our U-17 team’s quest to qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2025. It’s a testament to the dedication of all involved, securing this opportunity mere days after the new executive’s installation.”
T&T U-17 Squad
Goalkeepers: Mikhail Clement (Naparima College), Necose Moore (Chaguanas North Secondary)
Defenders: Jimally Renne (Presentation College, San Fernando), Jaydon Caprietta, Jeremiah Daniel, Antonio Hills (all Naparima College), Dimitre Jones, Keston Richards (both Arima North Secondary), Salim Soanes (St Benedict’s College)
Midfielders: Antuan Louison, Seth Hadeed (both Fatima College), Alejandro Harper, Eran Mc Leod (both St Mary’s College), Nikosi Foncette, Kyron Baptiste (both Presentation College, San Fernando), Jasai Theophilus, Jayden Christophe (both Queen’s Royal College), Riquelme Phillips (Speyside High), Adasa Richardson (Naparima College)
Forwards: Jonathan Mason (Fatima College), Josiah Simmons (Presentation College, San Fernando)
SOURCE: T&T Express