Nassau, Bahamas –
The Bahamas senior men’s national soccer team dropped their two international friendlies against Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands (BVI), wrapping up the inaugural 2025 CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football) Friendly Series with a winless 0-2 record over the weekend.
Playing out of Group D, the national team opened the series with a narrow 2-1 loss to Anguilla at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex in George Town, Cayman Islands, last Wednesday.
The team followed up that performance with another loss, this time to the BVI, 6-0, at the same venue on Saturday evening.
The 2025 CONCACAF Friendly Series was introduced with a goal of allowing member nations to compete in development matches during the 2025 FIFA (International Federation of Association Football) off-cycle.
Team Bahamas’ Head Coach Kevin Davies gave his assessment of the team’s performance.
“I think the team performed very well,” he said. “We had four 16 year olds on the team, who all performed well. They were able to get a taste of international competition at this level. Overall, based on the short time we had to train together, which was two days, the team did well. We have a lot to build on, and the young guys did well. I am pleased, even though we did not get any of the results that we wanted. At the end of the day, we were able to assess some players and see who is ready to move on.”
The Bahamas put forth a valiant effort against Anguilla in the first game of the friendly series.
Anguilla’s Mekhi Connor opened the scoring in the 11th minute, giving them a 1–0 lead. The Bahamas’ William Bayles responded with an equalizer in the 52nd minute, tying the score at one apiece.
Both teams held their ground until Tarique Jackson scored a second goal for Anguilla, this one in the 87th minute of the match to secure the victory.
In the following game, Team Bahamas was not able to generate any offense. BVI player Javaun Splatt finished the match with a hat trick, scoring in the fourth, 40th, and 52nd minutes.
The team had a 3-0 advantage at halftime and added three more goals to seal a 6-0 win.
Coach Davies spoke about the difference in the team’s performance in the first and second games.
“The British Virgin Islands was definitely a better team than Anguilla,” he said. “They were better organized and more successful. Mistakes caused us some goals, along with questionable referee calls, but those are things you have to overcome.”
The BVI won both of their friendlies to finish 2-0 with six points. The Cayman Islands, the host nation, was second with a 1-0 record and three points. Anguilla had an identical result.
The Bahamas closed out competition 0-2 and zero points.
Davies emphasized that competing in these types of tournaments are essential for young players with little experience.
“It helps them to build confidence,” he said. “It shows them where they need to improve, and it shows them the level they need to play at when they are playing in these types of games.”
The Bahamas was represented by an 18-man roster at the competition.