It seems as if finally the first round of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) club championships will kick off tomorrow with Guyana’s Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United taking on Dominica’s Bath Estate at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground, Bourda.
As was reported in yesterday’s publication, the team was experiencing flight problems according to President of the Alpha United club Odinga Lumumba.
However, Stabroek Sport was told by Lumumba yesterday that the team will be arriving today for the tournament that begins tomorrow.
The third team in the group Walking Boys of Suriname arrived in Guyana yesterday.
A few weeks earlier Lumumba had said that Alpha will be competing against the best club teams in the Caribbean, who will all be vying for honours to move to the next phase which is the CONCACAF Club Champions League. Additionally, he said that he was looking to expose his players to the highest levels of competition where it is possible that talent scouts will be present.
Meanwhile, when Stabroek Sport spoke to Alpha United coach Wayne ‘Wiggy’ Dover yesterday, he said that the team was in its final phase of preparation where it is reviewing strategies that were previously executed at practise sessions. He said that the dress rehearsal will entail almost the same intensity as an actual game.
Dover, however, expressed his dissatisfaction over the team not converting enough goals during the training session, especially since it had suffered a first round exit in the last year’s tournament. The number one football coach in the city also told Stabroek Sport that he was trying to organise the team defensively.
Dealing with high pressure situations that the team might be confronted with and the discipline to adapt were also part of yesterday’s rehearsal.
Also yesterday Stabroek Sport caught up with coach of the number two ranked team in Suriname, Jimmy Hoepel who said that they are here to play quality soccer. He revealed that the team was constantly active because they are currently engaged in a tournament back home.
He said that he and his team are confident of progressing to the next round, more particularly since they are ambassadors of Suriname. He said that there are eight national players in the team and a lot is expected from the club and disappointing the fans is not an option.
It was also noted that the team has done some extra work for the tournament because of its magnitude and the opportunity for the club to get some international exposure. Alpha United team reads: Howard Lowe, Dwight Peters, Andrew Murray Jr. Brian Baker, Okanie Fraser, Philbert Moffat, Edison Gomes, Sherwayne Morris, Gordon Henry, Chris Comacho, Dwain Jacobs, Ronson Williams, Anthony Harding, Leon Grumble, Kelvin Mc Kenzie, Oneke Forde, Troylan Williams, Jeremiah Allen and Leighton Murray.
Coach: Wayne Dover and Manager: Clifton Bobb
Walking Boys: Lebeda Anohe, Somai Dewkumar, Pene Robert, Felten Marlon, Jap-A-Foe Ferdinand, Lupson Rinaldo, Van Dijk Jermaine, Van Dijk Fabian, Sastromedjo Vanggelino, Sondjo Garm, Soares Alex, Aree Twan, Odang Bebeto, Afonsoena Elias, Ijin-Hiep-Shi, Asaimi Mohannes and Banda Elcio.
Coaches: Jimmy Hoepel and Roy Vanenburg.
