Wired868 Wired868 for smart sport news and opinion
Trinidad and Tobago National Under-20 Team coach Brian Williams has refused to consider Shiva Boys Hindu College players Tyrel “Pappy” Emmanuel and Quinn Rodney for the Caribbean Cup finals, after rejecting their excuses for skipping an ongoing training camp in Guyana.
Emmanuel and Rodney were selected on Williams’ 20-man team, which left for Georgetown on Wednesday evening. But neither made the trip and both played for their schools on the same evening, as Shiva Boys lost 2-1 away to San Juan North Secondary.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
Williams, a former Strike Squad standout, said the two talented players had dropped themselves as a result of their actions. He said he already informed TTFA president David John-Williams and technical director Muhammad Isa about his decision.
“I am very disappointed about this,” Williams told the TTFA Media. “Definitely these two players will not be eligible for selection for the CFU Final Round. I think this is a total disrespect to the national team by not turning up after being selected with travel and hotel arrangements already confirmed.
“I will not be including them in the selection for the final round in Curacao. These two players have dropped themselves.”
Williams, a W Connection youth team coach and former coach with Pro League team, United Petrotrin, confirmed that his technical staff informed all 20 players of their travel arrangements earlier in the week.
“We selected 20 players which I confirmed earlier this week,” said Williams. “Every player was spoken to and informed about the travel arrangements.”
However, Rodney simply did not turn up.
(Courtesy Kerlon Orr/Wired868)
“Quinn Rodney did not show up at the airport,” said Williams. “I spoke to his mother and his school teacher. But I understand the mother said afterwards that she had no money to send with her son on the tour.
“I could not understand [that excuse] because we were covering all expenses.”
Williams said Emmanuel called on Wednesday afternoon, less than three hours before the flight, to say that his mother could not find his passport and he was also suffering chest pains.
But the national youth team coach rejected that excuse too.
“Pappy called me when I was on my way to the airport and said that his mother could not find his passport,” said Williams, “and due to his medical status with him still having some chest pains, he cannot make the trip.
“I asked him if he was playing in the evening for Shiva Boys and his response was: no coach I am not playing. But I found out after that he scored for Shiva Boys later that day.”
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Williams will name his final 23-man squad for the Caribbean finals on Tuesday. All selected players will be barred from playing in the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL).
The Under-20s hope to have a second training camp in Panama before they head to Curacao before the CFU competition.
The young Soca Warriors edged Alpha United 2-1 on Friday evening in Georgetown. However, their opponents were a surprise since the team thought they would play two exhibition matches against the Guyana National Senior Team for their tour.
“There was an adjustment when we reached here because initially we were supposed to play the national teams,” said Williams. “But what was explained to us by [Guyana National Senior Team coach] Jamaal Shabazz when we arrived here is that he recently selected a pool of national players to prepare for the Caribbean Cup and right now they are into their preparations.
“So there was an arrangement where we would play the Alpha team, which has a few national players, and then play against an Elite All Star team on Sunday, which is also made up of several of their local-based national players.”
The two teams played to a 1-1 draw.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
Team captain Jabari Mitchell and newcomer Moses Jaikeran got the goals against Alpha while striker Nicholas Dillon and left back Keston Julien also gave creditable efforts.
Williams said he was pleased with his team’s performance and happy to away from the distracting nature of the SSFL competition, which has led to regular absences from national team training sessions.
“I was really pleased with the way our boys handled the match. It was very important for us to come here and play as it helped us as a team to refocus on the task at hand.
“Because of the distraction of secondary schools football and the club football back home, we were not getting the chance to really have proper training sessions involving all of the players. And that was becoming a big concern for me as we get closer to the tournament.
“But coming here has allowed us to regroup and refocus and I am happy about that. We came in Wednesday and we had two good training sessions and the boys have been very positive so far. They put on a strong performance in the match which I felt was important for us.”
T&T won 11-0.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
The National Under-20 Team close off their tour tomorrow with a warm-up match against a local all-star team.
(Trinidad and Tobago National Under-20 Team)
Goalkeepers: Jabari Brice (St Anthony’s College/San Juan Jabloteh), Denzil Smith (Shiva Boys HC);
Defenders: Tyrek Sampson (North East Stars), Kori Cupid (Presentation/W Connection), Isaiah Garcia (Shiva Boys/W Connection), Kierron Mason, Keston Julien (both Marabella Family Crisis Centre), Rondell Payne (Naparima College), Hakim Baird (North East Stars);
Midfielders: Jabari Mitchell (W Connection), Kareem Riley (Presentation/Central FC), Shane Sandy (Naparima/North East Stars), Micah Lansiquot (Mucurapo East/St Ann’s Rangers);
Forwards: Nicholas Dillon (Central FC), Kathon St Hillaire (St Anthony’s/St Ann’s Rangers), Josh Toussaint (St Ann’s Rangers), Chaz Burnett (Players Development Academy—USA), Moses Jaikeran (Harlem Strikers).
Britain-based author Richard Blackett, who, at present, is working on A History of Football in Trinidad and Tobago, 1908-2006, made Read more
Trinidad and Tobago had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Guyana in their opening Fifa U-17 World Cup qualifying Read more
Trinidad and Tobago look likely to be without the services of talented 16-year-old defender Adam ‘Toka’ Pierre for their 2025 Read more
Outgoing Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team head coach Angus Eve had another 17 months left on his contract Read more
St Benedict’s College coach Randolph ‘Balo’ Boyce has been selected as the Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Under-20 Team head Read more
The Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team completed their preparation for the opening round of their Fifa 2026 World Read more
I like 2 hear people defend ttfa yes akeem adams represent tnt at all levels his dad died no 1 in ttfa ever called to say shit when he went into a depression they stop selecting him 1 certain coach said he was shit now and he was in international wilderness for over 2 yrs so what he got for playing for this so call country
Zane Coker I couldn’t agree with you more…how many past players got late calls??? “This is your opportunity to grasp and go out there and prove that you’re worth your salt youth”. That’s what these youths should have been told… Listen even if one youth’s issue was financial, the same ppl around him, his teachers, neighbours whoever, should have made sure that this youth is not denied the opportunity man.
Schillachi and Roger Milla were late call ups at the 1990 World Cup. Both added as adjustments to initial squad.
well if ttfa so petty to do that it will be the country”s loss pappy has a very bright future in football
Yes they will. Life goes on. I just hope their decision to put school football over country does not affect or blacklist them for future opportunities.
I agree but we are dealing with young guys who probably did not handle the situation properly so they will learn from this experience and move on in life
It was a late call up. Not saying that them not going is the issue but from the article it was said that one kid didn’t go because his mother had no money to send him with and the other just didn’t show up. If that was not the case then the media once again mislead the public. All I am saying is that the professional thing to do to decline the late call up would be to say so and not just don’t show up.
That was not made up by the media. That is what the boys told the coach.
Yes Lasana that’s what I am saying…it was just a “just in case it wasn’t true” but I know it is.
zane what you talking about arrangements they were contacted the tues for the wed that is crap so. people need 2 ease off on the youths and focus on the real issue ttfa need 2 get their shit together
But the tour wasn’t a one month tour. The little experience they would have gained on the tour would have also helped Shiva Boys. If they did not want to go on the tour then there are ways of doing so. Whether via email, phone call or otherwise, that would have been the professional thing to do…not have arrangements made for flights, accommodation etc and then not show up. And if I could remember they chose not to go on the tour and still lost the San Juan game anyway. There is no justifying these boys actions especially coming from a person of your status.
Exactly Gordon Pierre…
Dion Sosa is my friend and Bass Cleff those are my exact thoughts go fight for ur pick score show up let d coaches look like fools!!
Dion Sosa??? Nah…that’s not coming from you. Somebody hacked ur account my friend? Or did I miss sumn here? Dion under no circumstance should any young aspiring football pass up an opportunity to represent his country. One can only “assume” as some narrow minded Trinis would think that “they pick their squad already”. Then we should encourage the youths to go out there, give of their best… Let’s see what the coaches would do. If that’s really the case…let the coaches show themselves up then. This is one time I have to disagree with you Dion. Not from a man who comes down on youths for making stupid decisions. That for me was a stupid decision and for the coaches of Shiva Boys, a “SELFISH” decision.
what I am saying is the team was already picked they only asked the players when they could not get who they wanted so that’s my point why hott up your head knowing that is failure
I understand. I would go personally, as a late call up is better than none, but each player has to make their own decisions and handle the consequences.
exactly
Brian Williams said Pappy was in his 20-man squad. Was the person who told them they were not picked more integral to the selection process than Brian?
If you look at the squad right now, there are only two box to box or holding midfielders there. I have no reason to doubt Brian.
I agree.. Winning the ssfl is a good goal but representing the national team, or trying to make the national team for World Cup qualifiers isn’t on the same level Dion. I know they have aspirations to play professionally as well, and i would assume more international scouts would see them if they made the international level.. Sportsmax helps the SSFL to an extent, but playing against international opposition should help raise their game a bit more as well…
Dion Sosa let’s leave it at that because if winning d ssfl especially the quality of this one is high on d agenda of young players with professional aspirations it says a lot about their ambition and i guess their handlers as well!!
There isn’t a professional club in the world that cares if a player won a schoolboys competition.
Dion Sosa….I hear what you’re saying….but that’s not the right way. Forfeit a national team tour to play SSFL regardless of the reasons is wrong.
it says much 2 going for a sure thing that 2 be sold a dream
Dion Sosa that statement doesn’t say much for their talent!! Its illogical as well and also talks to their mental strength
So Brian Jordan, you saw any school footballers at any nightclubs this weekend? Any with ambitions to be top student/athletes and national footballers?
Saw a few Shiva Boys players man. Looks like the one with chest issues is better…
Cheers. Bottoms up. 😉
I think that’s a fake profile tbh
Sigh
It’s funny to me how these young guys seem to be wise about football decisions on their future but came with silly excuses. Guess the advice givers only helped them half way.
Killing the youngsters smh
Wow…. why are we shouting??
Wondering the same thing
I see
I ADDRESSED MY LADT COMMENT SPECIFICALLY TO SARAH ANN BRAND
I CANT CONTROL WHO CHOOSE TO READ IT
SARAH ANN
NOTICE…
IZ AWHILE NOW SINCE I GET MIH USUAL ANTI PERFECTION INSULT
LONG TIME ENT
I TOO WONDERED WHEN SOMEONE WOULD “AWAKEN” AND START FIRING
WELL
Dats y we does can’t get a great player cause we give them up from young
WHY IS THE EARTH ROUND?
Why are your comments all in caps? …ummm please stop ….. 🙁
Jennifer said once that she is differently abled and somehow the all caps is a spin off of that.
So we have just taken her on her word…
LOOKLOY
ITS WE ADULTS WHO ” SUPPORT” THE FOILES OF THOSE IN OUR CARE. YUH KNOW
..That is correct and has always been so, unfortunately. But if a player (and his family) decide he is in, then he is in for ALL team activity ONCE SELECTED, bar some valid reason. A player can’t cherry pick which activities he will participate in..
a lot of players have been injured on national duty and when they get back its the schools and clubs who have 2 spend their money to rehab those players not even a call or letter from ttfa to find out about the player
So they didn’t go because they were afraid they might get injured? And why did they lie?
no what I am saying is their are bigger issues that need 2 be resolved and we need 2 stop focusing on this incident cause they are not the 1st players 2 decide not 2 go on a national tour 4 whatever reason so let’s focus on ttfa getting their glass house in order before they start throwing stones at others
I think everybody has a responsibility here. The TTFA has a responsibility and the players have a responsibility.
Two wrongs don’t make a right.
I agree but lasana you know there is a lot more to this story and at times people make a stand for the right reasons but may go about it in a wrong way
True. But who did they make a stand for? Themselves? I don’t see them helping anyone by not going on a tour, lying to the coach and keeping their reasons to themselves.
But, like I said, I wish the boys well with Shiva Boys and the rest of their careers. They are talented and I hope one day they get to harness that talent.
TO REPEAT
WE MUST STOP MOLLYCODDLING
REGARDLESS OF I F. THE ACTOR / ACT. IS RIGHT. OR WRONG
THE NATIONAL ATTITUDE PERMEATES EVERY ASPECT OUR BEING
BE IT A FUT BAL DECISION OR A PLUMBING DECISION
ROSEMARIE
YUH ENT SEEING OR MAKING THE LINKS?
Sigh. Jennifer we talking about a particular situation. You talking about a “national attitude “. Different discussion altogether. There were consequences for the players’ choices..they were dropped from the team. What is being discussed now is the possible rationale behind their decisions. There…..you’re welcome.
DION BEFORE YUH IMPLODE GET YUH DEDUCTIONS CORRECT
I TALKING BOUT A NATIONAL ATTITUDE WE ALL SUBJECT TO
NO CONSEQUENCE FUH YUH ACTION
WHETHER YUH FEEL YUH ACT IS A RIGHT CHOICE OR A WRONG CHOICE
UH NEED TO BE NURTURED TO TGE FACT THAT THERE IS. C O N S E Q U E N C E
TO EVERY SINGLE CHOICE YIH MAKE
EVN BEFORE YUH GET INTO DEBATE BOUT IF TO JUSTIFY THE ACT OR NOT
C O N S E Q U E N C E. LICKIN US UP IN TRINIDAD
ms yearwood how do you know the players are the wrong doers we in tnt always quick 2 jump 2 conclusions not knowing all the relevants facts I can tell you ttfa had a very big part 2 play in this nonsense so before you start being judge jury and executioner get your info 1st
GM Dion, curious about the big part the TTFA played. What did they do? Thanks
Hoping the players get their side of the story out soon.. would be a shame if we all have misconstrued the circumstances..
WE HAVE TO STOP MOLLY CODDLING WRONG AND WRONGDOERS
START ENCOURAGING
PAY FUH CONSEQUENCE
STOP WHINING AND HIDING BEHIND EXCUSES
WRONGDOERS ALWAYS ” GOOD LIL BOYS”
AND THEIR WRONGS FIND SUCCOUR BEHIND ALL KINDA SPURIOUS FRONTS
TGATS EXACTLY WHY TRIIDAD..N O T TOBAGO ..IN ITS PRESENT STATE O MORASSE. ESP REGARDING THE YOUNGER REPS
CALL A P,LUMBER. AND SEE WHAT HAPPEN
NO SHOW AND A HOST OF EXCUSES
WHY SOME FOLK CAPITULATE IN THE FACE OF AN ALTERNATIVE VIEW
ENGAGE!
In the few days since this piece came out it has morphed from a cut and dried assertion that the 2 players after being selected for a camp and agreeing to go, bailed at the last minute and provided what can only be described as frivolous excuses. They are being lambasted for disrespectful and unprofessional behaviour. From quite a few of the comments it seems that people closer to the situation believe that there were extenuating circumstances which forced the boys to lie. With all the stoic silence that has since ensued I can’t help wondering what level of bacchanal is underlying this whole episode. I mean it’s either they were under some form of duress or they felt lying was a better option than being forced to make the trip. Hopefully their backstory gets told if there is one. And I wish them well in their football careers.
Well read. Glad u recognized…it coming soon
Maybe not enough $$$$ in cfu??
You dont know where your passport is, you were given a week’s notice, from the moment I am told I am being selected, I searching for my passport and getting ready. The thing these boys dont understand that playing for your National team is not only about pride today, it opens doors for you, College scholarships, look-in from clubs abroad and so on. The parents are so insular.
Congratulations, I just hope that we dont hear that Williams is suddenly sacked a few months from now. You know it could happen, the parents might know somebody who know somebody etc. I APPLAUD this move.
The same should have been done for the two party freaks…total disrespect !!!…well done coach!
Sorry youngsters that’s what u both chosen don’t blame the coach.
GOOD. Move. Coach. Good. Move
there are always 3 sides 2 a story you heard the coach/ ttfa side of the story so don’t be quick 2 jump 2 conclusions there is a lot more 2 this story which usually is when it comes 2 ttfa and their madness
At the end of the day. Brian Williams is great one and we are lucky to have him here in Trinidad and Tobago football – I personally have tremendous respect for him. He’s made a decision and the players accept it, they respect him immensely. They will live with the consequences of what’s transpired. My hope is that they do get an education so that they may have viable life options…my sense is that they will. Soon enough we will be talking about some other issue pertaining to T&T football…
I didn’t draw a conclusion that these kids were indisciplined.
Just grossly disrespectful in this particular situation
(Based on the information in the public domain at the moment. But there seems to be more…)
Stipend? Lol! A “little passage money” maybe…