The overseas-based quartet of goalkeeper Nicklas Frenderup, midfielders Daniel Phillips, and Andre Ramperad and defender Kareem Moses are set to be among the early arrivals today as the Soca Warriors begin live-in camp on Monday in preparation for their 2023/2024 CONCACAF Nations League opener on Thursday.
Goalkeeper Frenderup (Ranheim IL/Norway), midfielders Phillips (St Johnstone/Scotland), and Ramperad (HFX Wanderers/Canada) and defender Moses (FF Jaro/Finland) are the headline players announced by coach Angus Eve on Wednesday for the upcoming campaign.
The Soca Warriors will entertain Curacao in Group A at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo on Thursday, before the team travels to San Salvador to face El Salvador four days later in their second match.
T&T will then host Guatemala on October 13, followed by an away clash against Curacao on October 17 to end their group campaign, after which the first and second-place finishers will advance to the CNL quarterfinals, where they will join the four top-ranked League A national teams.
T&T is back in League A for a second time after earning promotion from League B, but for Curacao, it’s their third, while Group B comprises Haiti, Jamaica, Honduras, Cuba, Suriname, and Grenada.
However, Eve’s squad will only contest four matches in their pool based on the competition’s format.
The trio of Frenderup, Phillips and Moses all played the full 90 minutes for their respective clubs yesterday while Rampersad had the weekend off, and their early arrival is sure to boost morale in the T&T camp, which has been hit with the injury withdrawal of AEK Athen’s winger, Levi Garcia, and sudden international retirement of Columbus Crew midfielder Kevin Molino who has sighted an unhealthy team environment among the reasons for his decision taken on Friday.
Molino, 33, wrote on his Facebook page: “Playing for TT has always been a dream. It has always been about passion and pride—from my first days with the U15 team, to being a part of a special group in the U17 World Cup & U20 World Cup. Along the way, I’ve been able make lifelong friends, face fierce rivals and lead the nation as captain of the senior team.
“Now, that dream has come to an end. It’s time to say goodbye for now. Thank you to all those who have supported me through the highs and the lows—my family, teammates, fans and coaches across T&T. I cherish every moment, every memory and they will all live with me forever!”
Frenderup led Ranheim to a 2-1 win over Sognal in the Norway First Division on Saturday while Moses played the full 90 minutes in FF Jaro’s 2-2 draw with JJK in the Finnish Ykkonen, and Phillips captained St Johnstone from midfielder in their 2-2 draw with Dundee in the Scottish Premier Division.
Among the other overseas-based players who were involved with their respective clubs yesterday and should start arriving today and tomorrow are Leland Archer (Charleston Battery—USA), Sheldon Bateau, Aubrey David, Shannon Gomez, Triston Hodge, Malcolm Shaw, Singh, Jesse Williams, Ajani Fortune, Neveal Hackshaw, Molik Khan, Kristian Lee Him, Noah Powder, Kaïlé Auvray, Judah Garcia, Ryan Telfer, and Jomal Williams.
They will join the local players: goalkeepers—Christopher Biggette, Marvin Phillip, and Denzil Smith; defenders—Justin Garcia, Alvin Jones, Josiah Trimmingham, Joevin Jones, Ross Russell Jr., midfielders—Michel-Poon Angeron, Duane Muckette, Justin Sadoo, Tyrone Charles, Kadeem Corbin, Real Gill, Nathaniel James, and Reon Moore.
Several players from both Defence Force and AC Port-of-Spain are involved in matches in the Concacaf Caribbean Club Cup.
Among the contingent, 27-year-old Biggette is the lone un-capped player named in the squad having excelled for Defence Force on their way to the T&T Premier Football League and Knockout titles.
The Concacaf Nations League will mark the first tournament for Eve who was given a contract extension last month to run until March 2024.
