Saint Lucia is in pole position in the Concacaf Nations League 2024-2025, hoping to build on its lead in Group B of League B with two home games in the coming days. After beating Curaçao and Grenada in Grenada last month, Saint Lucia has six points.
Head coach Stern John’s men play back-to-back games against French Saint Martin on Friday and Monday at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, as they scheme to increase the gap ahead of a trip to Curaçao in November.
“We feel good. It’s the second block of the Nations League campaign, I think we put ourselves in a decent position, so just have to keep on going and stay focused,” John asserted. “The game on Friday is going to be an important game as well, because you know Saint Martin they’ve changed their whole roster, they’ve brought in a whole new squad. But I think we have enough here to cope with them, and as long as we continue playing the way we play, and be disciplined, I think we will be successful.”
Missing will be three players who had big roles in the team’s success last time out – defenders Arkell Jude-Boyd, Chris Forino, and Janoi Donacien.
Jude-Boyd had a goal and assist in the upset victory over Curaçao. Forino had a goal against Grenada. And Donacien anchored the midfield. All three are recovering from minor injuries, as is Reeco Hackett-Fairchild.
“We are going to miss them really. I think those guys were massive for us,” John opined.
Speaking especially of Forino and Jude-Boyd, both of whom made their debuts, he said, “They came in and they played for Saint Lucia the first time, and they played like they had been here for 10 years. I think they are going to be missed, but we have a lot of players here who can fill the gap for those guys. So like I say, we just have to continue and stick to the plan and be focused on what we need to do for Friday.”
John has included four returning players in his squad. Captain and central defender Terell Thomas is back from injury, after missing the September international window. Joshua Solomon-Davies, Cheye Alexander, and hat-trick hero Dominica Poleon are also named to the squad.
Three men are in line to make their national debuts. Yanic Noel is a 22-year-old forward for La Clery, but hailing from Babonneau. Another forward, Ryan Charles is 34 years old and plays for Bishop’s Stortford, in England. Bayan Aman is an exciting 19-year-old midfielder from Hendon FC in England.
“I think it’s a good time to be playing for Santa Lucia,” John mused. “It’s a good time to be a Saint Lucian as well, to be representing Saint Lucia. There is a buzz around the island – the gold medal, the cricket team. A lot of folks around the island ask me if we’re under pressure to do the same.
“But I think we still have another two windows to go, so we’ll take it one step at a time and focus on what we need to do.”
FULL SQUAD:
Goalkeepers:
Vino Barclett – Cavalier (JAM)
Lamar Joseph-Johnson – Enfield FC (ENG)
Darren Donaie – Gros Islet (LCA)
Defenders:
Melvin Doxilly – Portmore (JAM)
Terell Thomas – Carlisle (ENG)
Alvinus Myers – Portmore FC (JAM)
Shanoi Evans – Chapleton Maroons (JAM)
Sebastien Ribot – Gros Islet (LCA)
Joshua Solomon-Davies – Atherton Collieries (ENG)
Kurt Frederick – Grenades FC (ANT)
Midfielders:
Cheye Alexander – Gillingham (ENG)
Shaquan Nelson – Castries Central (LCA)
Sherman Augustin – Grenades FC (ANT)
Ridel Stanislas – Grenades FC (ANT)
Leaus Henville – Mabouya Valley (LCA)
Lester Joseph – Grenades FC (ANT)
Melvin Aurelien – Gros Islet (LCA)
Bayan Aman – Hendon FC (ENG)
Forwards:
Caniggia Elva – (GER)
Ryan Charles – Bishop’s Stortford (ENG)
Yanic Noel – La Clery (LCA)
Dominic Poleon – Ebbsfleet (ENG)
Donavan Jn Baptiste – Canaries (LCA)
