Barbados Tridents preparing for remaining Nations League matches

The Barbados Tridents’ interim head coach Emmerson Boyce, is on a mission to secure six points in the country’s two remaining Concacaf Nations League matches.

Barbados senior men’s national football team will aim to bring to an end a four-game losing streak when they come up against group leaders Nicaragua on Friday at the Wildey Astro Turf. That match will be followed by a November 20 encounter with Monsterrat.

The Barbados Football Association (BFA) bid farewell to former Portuguese head coach Orlando da Costa after his contract ended earlier this month.

During his time in charge, the Tridents lost all four of their matches in the Nations League.

Barbados opened their League B campaign with a 3-2 loss to Montserrat, followed by a 5-1 drubbing at the hands of Nicaragua and 5-0 and 5-2 defeats respectively to the Dominican Republic.

Barbados have so far conceded 18 goals, more than any other team across Leagues A, B, C, and D.

During a media conference at the BFA’s headquarters this morning Boyce, the BFA’s technical director, did not dwell on da Costa’s tenure but rather highlighted the upcoming crucial clashes.

BFA Technical Director, Emmerson Boyce. (Photos courtesy BFA)

The results of these games will determine if Barbados remains in League B of the Nations League or if they will be relegated to League C.

Unfortunately,  Barbados will miss the scoring prowess of its top goal scorer in the Nations League, Thierry Gale, who is unavailable due to club commitments along with the UK-based Hallam Hope.

They will instead rely on a squad predominantly composed of locally-based talents.

Weymouth Wales, the reigning BFA Premier League Champions, boast 10 players in the Tridents’ 23-man squad in Kishmar Primus, Akeem Hill, Mario Williams, Ricardio Morris, Rashad Smith, Zachary Applewhite, Andre Applewhaite, Ackeel Applewhaite, Hadan Holligan, and Nadre Butcher.

The squad also includes the likes of Liam Brathwaite, Raheem Agard, Zachary Ellis-Hayden, Jomo Harris, Darian King, Omani Leacock, Elijah Downey, Zeco Edmee, Armando Lashley, Keon Atkins, Tajio James, Rashad Jules, and Devonte Richards.

Boyce, a former English FA Cup winner with Wigan Athletic, sees the two remaining Nations League games as the perfect stage to unveil and celebrate the diverse bouquet of local talent.

While he acknowledged the challenges ahead, Boyce maintained that he would be going all out to secure a positive result.

Currently languishing at the bottom of the table, Barbados eyes a triumphant rise, while undefeated Nicaragua confidently sits atop the group on 12 points from their four matches, aiming to elevate to the prestigious League A in next year’s Nations League.

The Dominican Republic, with only  one defeat against Nicaragua, is a close second on the points table with nine points, while Montserrat is third on three points.

rawletoney@barbadostoday.bb