By Neto Baptiste
Six players from the national men’s under-20 football team have been included in a 25-member senior men’s training squad, as the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) kickstarts preparations for the 2026/27 Concacaf Nations League starting in September.
Sedique Adams of Garden Stars FC, Vaughn Jackson Jr of All Saints United FC, Dajari Barthley of Villa Lions, Obediah Brown of Old Road, Brandon Stachel of Master Ballers FC and Elijah Whyte of Grenades, all impressed senior team selectors following their impressing showings in the recent Concacaf Under-20 Championships.
Also included in the training squad are veterans Quinton Griffith of Grenades FC, Raheem Deterville of All Saints United FC and Shalon Knight of Swetes FC.
The Antigua and Barbuda Benna Boys will compete in League C, Group B of the Concacaf Nations League.
Former national striker, Derrick “Pretty Boy” Edwards, is named as one of two assistant coaches to the Mexico-based Jacques Passy, who is being retained as head coach. Edwards is returning to senior team coaching duties for the first time since 2018.
Edwards, a former assistant coach for the senior men’s national team along with equipment manager Danny Benjamin, were arrested on 26 March, 2018 at the Norman Manley International Airport in Jamaica, after a quantity of marijuana was found in an equipment bag they had presented to officials while checking in.
The team was returning to Antigua after playing a friendly international against the Jamaica Reggae Boyz.
Edwards and Benjamin were freed of charges on 14 June, 2018 at the St Andrew Parish Court. They had been charged with possession of marijuana, dealing in marijuana, taking steps to export marijuana and conspiracy.
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. All four matches will be played in Antigua.
Full Local Training Squad: Zafique Drew (All Saints United), DeAndre Bishop (All Saints United), Raheem Deterville (All Saints United), Keon Green (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 Ogarro (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).
Handful of National U20 Players Included in Senior Benna Boys Training Squad
