By Neto Baptiste
The senior Antigua and Barbuda Benna Boys football team could include more homegrown talent during their 2026/27 Concacaf Nations League campaign set to start later this month.
Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) media officer Troy Gibson said the vast majority of players joining the squad for the 23 September to 6 October leg of the competition had come through the local system.
“The dynamics have changed a lot though, in terms of maybe by descent, it’s probably four to five players by descent and majority of the overseas-based players are players that were born here now and are plying their trade overseas in England, in Germany, in the US and Spain, you know, it’s like that now. It’s going to be a team that’s mostly professional and semi-professional players coming back. Especially within the last under-20 and under-17, the dynamics have shifted that the players coming from outside have been born here and have moved on to academies or moved on to some semi-professional clubs,” he said.
The Antigua and Barbuda Benna Boys will compete in League C, Group B of the Concacaf Nations League with all matches in the opening leg being hosted here in Antigua.
Gibson said the association welcomed the opportunity to showcase the senior men’s team to what it hoped would be a diverse crowd.
“This is the biggest FIFA window I think in a very long time. It’s a 16-day FIFA window. All the matches will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. The matches all kick off at seven o’clock and gates will be open by 6 p.m. Tickets will be $20 for adults and after some meetings with the new marketing committee, we decided we want to get a lot more young people involved so we decided that 16 years and under, you will only pay $10 to see the match,” he said.
Antigua and Barbuda opens its campaign against Aruba on 23 September before facing Anguilla three days later. The Benna Boys will play Anguilla on 1 October before facing Aruba on 6 October.
Full Local Training Squad: Zafique Drew (All Saints United), DeAndre Bishop (All Saints United), Raheem Deterville (All Saints United), Keon Greene (Potters), Akeem Isaac (Pigotts Bullets SC), Shelon Knight (Swetes), Elijah Whyte (Grenades), Tyrik Hughes (Villa Lions), Jayden Martin (All Saints United), Obediah Browne (Old Road FC), Dajari Barthley (Villa Lions), Tariq Charles (Garden Stars), Sadique Adams (Garden Stars), Kemoy Walsh (Garden Stars), Jahzihno O’Garro (Grenades), Karique Knight (Cayon FC), Zaieem Scott (Green City), Shakore Simon (Grenades), Leroy Graham (Grenades), Jemoye Martin (Grenades), Kwame Kirby (Grenades), Quinton Griffith (Grenades), Brandon Stachel (Master Ballers), Vaughn Jackson Jr. (All Saints United) and Daryl Massicot (Cavalier FC).
Coaching staff: Jacques Passy (Head Coach), Derrick Edwards (Grenades FC) and Donavan Peart (Pigotts Bullets FC).
Homegrown talent poised for bigger Benna Boys role
