Abu Bakr joins Warriors; Carlyle ruled out of Gold Cup

Editor Saturday 13 June 2015 Global Football, National Football, Volley 2 Comments

Denmark-based defender Radanfah Abu Bakr has been added to the “Soca Warriors” squad for their June 16 international friendly match away to Jordan.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago defender Radanfah Abu Bakr (right) challenges Iran forward Ashkan Dejagah for the ball during a friendly in June 2014. (Courtesy Allan V Crane/TTFA Media) — Photo: Trinidad and Tobago defender Radanfah Abu Bakr (right) challenges Iran forward Ashkan Dejagah for the ball during a friendly in June 2014.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/TTFA Media)

The 28-year-old Abu Bakr, who represents HB Koge in what is effectively Denmark’s second division, played at the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup and has 18 full international caps.

However, Trinidad and Tobago coach Stephen Hart will still have just players to choose from in Jordan as 25-year-old England-born defender Gavin Hoyte opted out of the trip to complete his move to newly promoted England League Two club, Barnet FC.

Hoyte, a former Arsenal youth team player and the younger brother of national defender Justin Hoyte, is still available to make his competitive debut for the Warriors at the upcoming Gold Cup.

The Warriors, who had an anxious start to their journey due to funding issues with the Ministry of Sport, are scheduled to arrive in Amman, Jordan at midnight (5 pm today).

There were some more bad news for Hart, though, as he learned that South Korea-based defender, Carlyle Mitchell, will not recover from an ankle injury in time for the Gold Cup.

Mitchell joins a handful of Warriors who were ruled out of the Gold Cup due to injury, which includes Kevin Molino, Hughtun Hector, Seon Power and Robert Primus.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago defender Carlyle Mitchell struts his stuff during the inaugural 2013 Wired868 Football Festival at UWI SPEC. (Courtesy Allan V. Crane/ Wired868) — Photo: Trinidad and Tobago defender Carlyle Mitchell struts his stuff during the inaugural 2013 Wired868 Football Festival at UWI SPEC.
(Courtesy Allan V. Crane/ Wired868)

North East Stars utility player Dwane James has also missed the Jordan trip with an abdominal injury although he is expected to recover in time for the July tournament.

“We’ve been faced with some challenges but the important thing is to focus on what we have going for us at the moment,” Hart told the TTFA Media, “and what is ahead which is a match against Jordan on Tuesday and, hopefully, a preparation camp next week which will lead us into our Gold Cup campaign.

“The game against Jordan is an opportunity to have the players together in a game situation which has not been a regular occurrence for us this year. Having the squad together is always important and we’ll look to address certain things as it pertains to our preparations for the Gold Cup.”

Jordan, who are ranked 103rd in the world, are coming off a 3-1 World Cup qualifying victory away to Tajkistan last Friday.

At present, the Warriors are 65th in the FIFA global rankings.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago winger Cordell Cato (right) motors past St Lucia right back Erick Gabriel during the 2014 Caribbean Cup qualifying series. (Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868) — Photo: Trinidad and Tobago winger Cordell Cato (right) motors past St Lucia right back Erick Gabriel during the 2014 Caribbean Cup qualifying series.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)

(Team for Jordan friendly)

Goalkeepers: Jan-Michael Williams (Central FC), Marvin Phillip (Point Fortin Civic);

Defenders: Kaydion Gabriel (Central FC), Aubrey David (Shakhter Karagandy—Kazakhstan), Radanfah Abu Bakr (HB Koge—Denmark), Sheldon Bateau (KV Mechelen—Belgium), Mekeil Williams (W Connection), Daneil Cyrus (W Connection), Joevin Jones (Chicago Fire—USA);

Midfielders: Andre Boucaud (Dagenham & Redbridge—UK), Khaleem Hyland (KVC Westerlo—Belgium), Leston Paul, Ataulla Guerra, Sean De Silva (all Central FC), Keron Cummings (North East Stars);

Forwards: Shahdon Winchester (W Connection), Kenwyne Jones (Cardiff City—UK), Devorn Jorsling (Defence Force), Cordell Cato (San Jose Earthquakes—USA), Lester Peltier (Slovan Bratislava—Slovakia), Willis Plaza (Central FC).