By Neto Baptiste
Forwards D’Andre Bishop and Raheem Deterville are included in a 23-member squad currently sharpening their skills as the Antigua and Barbuda Benna Boys prepare for their opening clash against Dominica in Group C of the Concacaf Nations League slated for 4pm on Saturday at the FA’s Technical Centre.
Speaking recently on the Good Morning Jojo sports show, Bishop, who plies his trade professionally Belišće FC in Croatia, is hoping to put the experience to use for his national team.
“It enhances my game mentally because coming from the Caribbean it’s more about talent but playing in Europe it teaches you to be more technical because you have to know how to play in a team and it’s not like a one-man show anymore, it’s a team effort,” he said.
Deterville, the Premier Division’s chief marksman for the 2023/24 season with 20 strikes, said there is no pressure going into the matches on the weekend, given the tremendous amount of talent in the squad.
“In Old Road, everyone looks to me to do the job but in the national team we have a lot of talent, so it’s not just me … I am not saying I am not a big player in the game, but it’s not just me [alone],” the player said.
Meanwhile, head coach Mikele Leigertwood called on the public to support the players by being the 12th man in the stands.
“We really want everybody to come out because we’re excited about the opportunity to play again in front of our home fans and, hopefully, it will be a great display for us and we get a couple of good positive results,” the coach said.
The Antigua and Barbuda Benna Boys open their campaign against Dominica on Saturday at 4pm before facing Bermuda on September 10, also at 4pm. In Saturday’s other contest, Bermuda take on the Dominican Republic at 11am while on September 10, Dominican Republic and Dominica clash at 11am.
Tickets cost $20 per adult and $10 for children 12 years old and under.
Squad: Goalkeepers; Zaieem Scott, Shahoi Dorsett, Jayden Martin; Defenders: Zaire Scott, Cardel Roberts, Tyrique Tonge, Vashami Allen, Kieron Richards, Antonio Morgan; Midfielders: Sean Tomlinson, Kenduka Challenger, Quinton Griffith, Tyrik Hughes, Kwame Kirby, Darryl Massicot; Forwards: Javorn Stevens, Keon Green, D’Andre Bishop, Raheem Deterville, Eugene Kirwan and Eroy Gonsalves.
