New Saint Lucia senior men’s national football team head coach Rajesh Latchoo has selected a strong, experienced yet youthful 25-member squad for his first match in charge, which is Friday’s CONCACAF Nations League clash with Barbados here at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground.
The Piton Boyz will meet the Bajan Tridents to open their League B, Group B campaign in what is dubbed the beginning of a new era in St. Lucian football.
Latchoo was officially introduced Tuesday during a press conference at the Saint Lucia Football Association headquarters, outlining a long-term vision for Saint Lucia football, while making clear his immediate objective.
‘The mission in the short term is 18 points,’ Latchoo said, referring to the total he believes is needed to top the CNL group.
‘That is the only way we could guarantee, and not have to hope something happened or something didn’t happen, 18 points is the mission to place first.
‘The staff will do everything, and I know the SLFA is doing everything to get the players ready. It is a short space of time, but this is big football, and in big football, you only have five days. The players have the competence and the ability.’
Latchoo also called on the public to back the team.
‘What we would ask now, we ask the public if they believe. If they believe, it’s not just the team, the FA, and the staff; it requires a whole country, a whole nation, to qualify,’ he said.
‘If the nation doesn’t support the team, then how could the players give 100 per cent if 100 per cent of the nation doesn’t support the team and the mission?’
The new coach has brought in new backroom staff, including legendary former Saint Lucia international Earl ‘Ball Hog’ Jean.
Latchoo said he wants players to have specific roles at different age levels and stressed a results-oriented approach as he plans for the next four years leading to the 2030 World Cup.
‘Every milestone from now to that time is very important,’ he said. ‘And the first milestone is dealing with the CONCACAF Nations League. The team is composed of different level players from different backgrounds and with different abilities. Each of them is an expert in their own right. Every single day, we will hold them accountable, as they will hold us as the staff, as the SLFA will hold us as the staff, and as the nation will hold us as the staff and the team.’
Nearly half the squad, 12 players, feature in the Saint Lucia Semi-Professional Football League, including top scorers Garvin Reggie of Dennery and Yanic Noel of La Clery, as well as La Clery goalkeeper and Footballer of the Year Devone St Prix. Six players come from the two-time defending SPFL champions.
Goalkeeper Vino Barclett is one of four Jamaica-based players, joined by fellow keeper Darren Donaie, defender Melvin Doxilly and young attacker Shevon Byron.
Defenders Terell Thomas and Arkell Jude Boyd arrive from the United Kingdom, while attacker Donavan Phillip comes from Colorado Rapids in the United States.
Veteran fullback Kurt Frederick joins from Grenades FC in Antigua and Barbuda. Jason Similien returns from AC Italia Hilden in Germany. Caniggia Elva enters the forward line from Canada’s Cavalry FC, and Djal Augustin joins from Warta Srem in Poland.
The squad includes only six players aged 30 or older and two teenagers, with most in their early 20s. Saint Lucia will lean on that youthful core as it aims for a strong start on Friday.