Barbados National Senior Men’s Squad Announced for 2024/25 Concacaf Nations League C

The Barbados Football Association (BFA) has officially announced the National Senior Men’s Squad which will represent the Tridents in the 2024/25 Concacaf Nations League C. The 23-member playing squad, along with the management team, will travel to St Croix in the US Virgin Islands this Thursday.

Head Coach Kent Hall conveyed a sense of optimism about the team’s progression, underscoring the careful groundwork being laid to foster a cohesive and formidable unit.

“Our preparations for the Concacaf Nations League build upon the foundations we set during the World Cup Qualifiers earlier this year. We are methodically constructing the developmental framework for our team to evolve, making deliberate adjustments to fortify the new core of our squad,” Hall remarked.

Weymouth Wales’ Nadre Butcher and Elijah Downey are the stand out omissions from the squad which also had no room for the likes of Tajio James and Akeem Hill. Thierry Gale is also missing as he continues his rehabilitation from his anterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered in February.

Hall, who has lost both games so far in his tenure, highlighted fitness as a key factor behind the exclusion of several previously regular squad members. “Every player with a Barbados passport is eligible and experience has a certain value but ultimately it is up to what you can do on the pitch. We also know that in the international environment, if you can’t compete physically then you can’t compete (at all) so the main thing is to get players who are up to the physical demands of international football,” explained the 45-year-old.

The former national midfielder who represented Barbados 17 times from 2001-2006 instead chose Khimani Cox, Nathan Sealy, Nathan Walters and Justin White, expressing enthusiasm about the inclusion of new talent. Hall views it as a critical infusion of vitality and fresh perspectives. “Reaching the performance standards we aspire to is a gradual process, one that requires continuous refinement of our playing style. I’m particularly excited to see some fresh faces in the squad, individuals who are making their debut at the senior level. The entire team is eager to give their all on the pitch,” he concluded.

Hall oversaw defeats in the World Cup Qualifiers in June, 4-1 away against Curacao and 3-1 at home against Haiti and will be looking to get back to winning ways against lesser opposition.

The Tridents will compete in League C after last year’s relegation from League B and will compete against The Bahamas and the US Virgin Islands. Their first fixture is against the Bahamas on Saturday, September 7, followed by a match against the US Virgin Islands on Tuesday, September 10.

Barbados lost all 6 of their 2023/24 Concacaf Nations League B matches, including heavy defeats against Nicaragua (5-1 away and 4-0 at home), Dominican Republic (5-0 at home, 5-2 away) and Montserrat (3-2 at home and 4-2 away). In total, the Tridents conceded 26 goals and scored just seven goals.

National Senior Men’s Squad: Andre Applewhaite (captain), Ackeel Applewhaite, Zachary Applewhite, Nicoli Brathwaite, Khimani Cox, Jaylan Gilkes, Justin Griffith, Carl Hinkson, Hadan Holligan, Sheran Hoyte, Kevon Lucas, Jireh Malcolm, Ricardio Morris, Shay Prescod, Kishmar Primus, Niall Reid-Stephen, Nathan Sealy, Ethan Taylor, Khalil Vanderpool-Nurse, Nathan Walters, Justin White, Mario Williams.

Head coach Kent Hall will be joined by assistant coach Marlon Harte, manager Ortis Williams, trainer Chad Bynoe and goalkeeping coach Bernard Howell.