Bahamas Men’s National Team Prepares For First Qualifying World Cup Match

The Bahamas Men’s National Team is in final preparations for its first qualifying World Cup match for Qatar 2022 when the team hosts St. Kits & Nevis at home on March 27th, 2021 at 7.00 pm at the Thomas Robinson National Stadium. (March 15th, 2021)

The National Team like others in the region have had to train in unlikely circumstances due to the restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 Pandemic. In March 2020, when shutdowns were instituted, the squad just prior, had completed first round matches of The Nations League with a 3-1 record and advanced for the next round. After a 6-month layoff, the team got special permission from the Competent Authority and The Ministry of Health to resume restricted training. Advanced training would only be permitted if there were no spreading of the virus and agreed upon protocols were followed.

Fast forward to today, under the guidance of Head Coach Nesley Jean and his management team, the Squad returned on Monday March 8th, 2021 from Bradenton, Florida, where they competed in two FIFA approved friendly matches against Bermuda. The games were very competitive as both coaches, Nesley Jean and Kyle Lightbourne sought to identify and select the best players available to take into their qualifying matches. Under rigorous COVID-19 testing protocols, the team lost the first match 0-3 and Coach Jean made numerous subs so that he was able to view all players in the competitive environment. In the second match, the game ended 0-0 with The Bahamas Squad squandering numerous chances to bag a win.

Upon returning to The Bahamas, the Squad had to undergo the Government’s mandatory 5-day testing protocols and every member received a negative result, validating the protocols put in place by FIFA, The BFA and The Government’s Ministry of Health. The Squad now ramps up training in preparation for the home games against St. Kitts & Nevis and then travel two days later to The Dominican Republic to take on the vaunted Guyana. Due to COVID 19 restrictions in Guyana, the game had to be moved to a jurisdiction where the restriction levels allowed the game to be played.

The match versus St. Kitts & Nevis will be played before an empty stadium to mitigate the spread of the virus. The Bahamas Football Association will arrange for the match to be streamed live online for The Bahamian soccer public so that they can cheer on their compatriots. We invite the public to support us by tuning in to streaming sites on Facebook, YouTube, and The Bahamas Football Association’s Website.

The following players have been selected to represent The Bahamas in the match against St. Kitts & Nevis: