The St. Vincent and the Grenadines men’s senior national football team, “Vincy Heat”, left Grenada on Wednesday.
In Guatemala, the team will compete in their third Concacaf Group C Qualifiers in the FIFA World Cup 2022 against the host nation on Friday.
Vincy Heat had been in Grenada since May 17 preparing for their upcoming games.
“The team has been affected by mass displacement, air quality issues and availability of playing surfaces, to mention a few,” President of the SVG Football Federation, Carl Dickson, told a press conference in Kingstown in May, ahead of the team’s departure.
Dickson said that the explosive eruption of La Soufriere, on April 9, as well as the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulted in the decision to have the team travel and train in Grenada for three weeks.
A 27-man squad took the trip to Grenada and 19 players were selected for Friday’s fixture.
They are:
Goalkeepers — Jadiel Chance, Garwin Davis and Josh Stowe.
Defenders — Camol Bess, Kennijah Joseph, Tristan Marshall, Ted Roberts, Jahvin Sutherland and Jamal Yorke.
Midfielders — Gidson Francis, Brad Richards, Nazir Mc Burnette, Kurtlan Williams and Diel Spring.
Strikers — Kyle Edwards, Zidane Sam, Marlon Simmons, Cornelius Stewart and Oryan Velox.
“The remaining players who did not travel with the delegation to Guatemala still have hopes of making the match day squad for the Cuba game,” the SVGFF said in a press statement on Wednesday.
The team is playing its first official match since the murder of its main goalkeeper, Dwaine Sandy, 32, who was gunned down in Calliaqua on May 21.
Sandy and two other players did not travel to Grenada as they were the subjects of SVGFF disciplinary procedures.
Police have offered no theory about Sandy’s death, but there is no known link between his slaying and the national team.
Manager Renson Haynes is leading the delegation and the head coach is Kendale Mercury.
Vincy Heat will play their home match against Cuba next Tuesday, June 8 at the Kirani James Athletics Stadium at 4 p.m.
Information and links to view the game will be shared on the SVGFF social media platforms closer to match days, the SVGFF said.
Well men, get out there and play your best football. These matches are not going to be easy but try not to fail this time or the tournament run will soon be over.