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Trinidad and Tobago Women’s National Senior Team striker Mariah Shade remains optimistic about the quest for the France 2019 Women’s World Cup, even though she admitted to being hurt by the sudden departure of former head coach, Carolina Morace.
Morace, a former Italy striker and Canada World Cup coach, quit her post on Friday 14 July after three months without pay. She is expected to sue the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) for breach of contract.
Theodore missed a late opportunity as the two nations played to a goalless draw.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
Shade said the Italian coach will be missed.
“It was very heartbreaking to say the least after hearing that coach Carolina Morace and assistant coach Nicola Williams were leaving us,” Shade told the TTFA Media. “It was very sudden but all I can say is that I know God is in control and I trust his will for us as a team.”
Morace’s departure meant a second coming for Jamaal Shabazz, who worked as the women’s head coach for roughly a decade before resigning in 2011.
Shade was 13 years old when she first got the chance to train with the Women’s National Senior Team and Shabazz was head coach at the time. She suggested too that Shabazz’s role in bringing Morace to Trinidad in the first place showed that his heart remained in the right place as far as the local women’s game was concerned.
She thinks Shabazz also has plenty to offer the Women Soca Warriors.
(Courtesy CONCACAF)
“He has always been a very serious, no-nonsense person who appreciates hard work,” said Shade. “[…] Though he has always been around women’s football, this is the first time as an adult that I would be coached by Jamaal and I feel very positive as we move forward in our preparations.
“My focus has always been giving my best in training so the game becomes easier and I will continue to by God’s grace.”
The 25-year-old Shade will launch her first book, “Tunnel Vision—A Set Apart Life”, on 5 August at the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards. The book was described, by the TTFA Media, as a young Christian’s survival guide for spiritual success, empowerment and blessing and will be available on Amazon, the Barnes and Noble’s online store and the Trinity Hills Publishing website.
Next step for the Women Warriors, though, is the Caribbean qualifying phase for the 2019 World Cup, which starts in 2018. At present, it looks like Shabazz will be in charge for the campaign and Shade is looking on the brighter side.
“He knows our ability and has seen our development as players and commitment to the programme throughout the years,” said Shade, “so he knows what he has to work with. I’m expecting that this will make the transition easier and faster so we can get back on track with our preparations for France 2019.”
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
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