By: Peterson Pierre-Louis

Despite monumental challenges, the Haitian U20 men’s national team still achieved a remarkable performance in the first phase of the World Cup qualifiers in this category. As a result, the grenadiers qualify for the second phase, thus demonstrating resilience and determination.

In a context where the other teams in the area have benefited from an extended preparation period for around 6 months. The Haitian team had to settle for only ten (10) days of preparation with dual nationals and seven (7) players trained in Haiti to prepare. However, under the direction of coach Angelo Jean-Baptiste and his technical staff, Haiti validated its ticket in the third match, drawing (1-1) against Puerto Rico despite the domination of the opposing team.

The careful preparation orchestrated by the technical team was a crucial element of this success. But the carelessness and negligence of the leaders of the Haitian Football Federation (FHF) have been noticed once again. Again and again late preparations and lack of timely planning linked to our different selections.

On the other hand, Coach Angelo’s leadership and vision were essential in guiding the team to success. But there is a lot of work to do because the team showed a lot of weakness in this first phase. Furthermore, with the will expressed by the group as a whole mixed with a good adjustment in all lines can give Haiti a qualifying place. Unless the leaders are going to put the destiny of Haiti aside. Which makes the arrival of our young grenadiers at the next stage skeptical.