Wired868 Wired868 for smart sport news and opinion
The Trinidad and Tobago Boys’ National Under-14 Team ended the group stage phase of their 2026 CFU Challenge Series on a high note today, as they trounced French Guiana 4-1 in Cap Cana, Dominican Republic.
Winger Jiair Nanton, once more, was Trinidad and Tobago’s most influential player and he scored twice and had a role in forward Jake Correia’s item too. Midfield Zidan Tinto got the other goal for the young Soca Warriors with a cool finish, after a decisive pass from teammate Eli-Akim Nelson.
The result moved coach Randolph Boyce’s troops from the foot of Group B to second place—two points behind Haiti and ahead of Puerto Rico by virtue of having scored more goals.
It was not enough to propel the two-island republic into the Tier I semifinals as the best second place finisher, though. Instead, that went to Bermuda, who join group winners, Haiti, Jamaica and hosts Dominican Republic.
Still, today’s win would be a relief for local football fans—following a heavy 4-1 loss to Haiti yesterday and an unimpressive 1-1 draw against Puerto Rico on Monday.
Photo: CFU.
Boyce made seven changes to his starting team today, which is not necessarily unusual considering the gruel fixture schedule.
The early omens did not look good, as Trinidad and Tobago went behind inside the opening five minutes. A long French Guiana throw into the penalty area was not dealt with decisively, and attacker Railey Jean Louis’ shot took a deflection to beat T&T goalkeeper Jean-Paul Barrimond.
The young Soca Warriors equalised in the 14th minute, though, as a loose pass during the French Guiana build-up phase was pounced on by Nanton, who beat goalkeeper Yaric Ravic with a spanking low drive.
It was not a high-quality affair. But French Guiana were clearly overwhelmed by Trinidad and Tobago’s high pressure and defensive workrate.
The Warriors went ahead in the 27th minute off a set piece—T&T’s third goal from a deadball scenario in the competition, with Nanton’s item being the only exception, up to that stage.
Photo: CFU.
Nanton was involved though in the goal though, as he swung a deep free kick into the opposing box that captain Hasheem Salandy headed down before Correia prodded over the line.
And, a minute later, Nanton gave Trinidad and Tobago breathing room with another low drive past Ravic, after a pass from midfielder Eli-Akim Nelson. All three goals, then, created and finished by City FC players.
Midfielder Zidan Tinto, who represents the Tinto Sporting Academy, got Trinidad and Tobago’s fourth goal with a composed finish from close range in the 44th minute, after a clever pass from substitute Judea Phillip.
(via TTFA Media.)
Frustrated, French Guiana restored to persistent fouling by now, with Nanton a regular target. Inexplicably, referee Portia Davis consistently refused to step in to protect the player.
But Trinidad and Tobago got through the game without further mishap and were unfortunate not to stretch their lead, as substitute forward Abayomi Hope struck the bar and spurned two excellent scoring opportunities.
A larger margin of victory would not have been enough to take the young Warriors to semifinals anyway. And the outlook at the final whistle was better than it was at kickoff—when Trinidad and Tobago were bottom of an all-Caribbean group.
Photo: CFU.
It is a significantly lower bar for representative teams from the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) in this era.
(Teams)
Trinidad and Tobago (4-3-3): 18.Jean-Paul Barrimond (GK); 2.Ryan Aquing, 16.Alex Wortman, 4.Hasheem Salandy (captain), 3.Darion Alzola; 13.Kymani Mohan, 12.Eli-Akim Nelson, 14.Zidan Tinto; 15.Kayden Rosalis, 17.Jake Correia, 7.Jiair Nanton.
Substitutes: 1.Liam Alleyne (GK), 5.Kiyan Jupiter, 6.Taariq Kerr, 8.Declan De Freitas, 9.Abayomi Hope, 10.Zaire McMillan, 11.Judea Phillip.
Coach: Randolph Boyce.
French Guiana: 16.Yaric Ravin (GK), 10.Nayann Saint Phlour (captain), 2.Keeyann Martin Humblett, 3.Adrien Apike, 5.Nyl Stanislas Gauthier, 6.Yannis Adam, 8.Dayilan Rogier, 9.Keylan Kago, 11.Railey Jean Louis, 15.Railey Jean Marie, 18.Yashiro Silva.
Coach: Christophe Cherica.
Referee: Portia Davis.
Trinidad and Tobago suffered their first loss of the 2026 CFU U-14 Boys Challenge Series today, as they were brushed Read more
There was an early goal and a late attacking flurry, but in the end, Trinidad and Tobago had to settle Read more
The Trinidad and Tobago Boys National Under-14 Team travelled to the Dominican Republic with one player short yesterday, for the Read more
Trinidad and Tobago Boys National U-14 Team head coach Randolph Boyce announced his 18-member squad for the 2026 CFU U-14 Read more
Trinidad and Tobago return to international football competition on 16 August 2026 in the CFU Boys U14 Challenge Series, which Read more
At this rate, the 2025 Republic Bank National Youth Football League (RBNYFL) season is in danger of going down as Read more
Lasana Liburd is the managing director and chief editor at Wired868.com and a journalist with over 20 years experience at several Trinidad and Tobago and international publications including Play the Game, World Soccer, UK Guardian and the Trinidad Express.
