Jack plans TT trip to Morocco

Trinidad and Tobago’s footballers will have an opportunity to play in North Africa from September 6-10.

Following Thursday’s 2-2 draw with Venezuela, the TT Football Federation are now in the process of finalising arrangements for at least two international matches against Morocco, or a invitational tournament involving Egypt and Tunisia. Revealing these plans was FIFA Vice President and Special Advisor to the TTFF, Jack Warner who arrived home on Thursday specifically to view the match at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella. The CONCACAF and Caribbean Football Union boss had been away for two months. “I came back specifically to see the match and after what took place I can safely say that we are on track in terms of the recovery road at this time,” Warner said yesterday. “It was good to see a virtually young team being able to hold their own and come back and draw the match and even go close to winning it. What was a point to take note of too was the fact that we have several players in their early 20s on the team. This means that the future is in good hands,” said Warner. The management of the TT team also thanked  the fans for their support. “What was a high point for me as well was seeing that the public is also coming back to the football once again. When you can see a little more of 6,000 paying patrons coming to see a match on a Thursday afternoon, it speaks volumes for the future,” said Warner.

Warner remained optimistic as the TT players now prepare for upcoming internationals against  Jamaica and Guatemala among other countries. “We are in the process of finalising arrangements for a tournament in North Africa. Definitely we will be playing overseas between September 6 and 10 either in the tournament or friendly internationals against Morocco. “We have decided on those dates because it is  part of FIFA’s international window and as such we will be able to have our full quota of top players from overseas and local,” said Warner. He said because FIFA decided last week to commence South America’s 2006 World Cup qualifying competition on September 6, the possibility of a full South American tour is slim. However, it remains possible that TT could still end playing a couple international matches. “I have not ruled out this because it still seems possible that we can at least get in a match against Brazil’s Olympic team,” said Warner. TT will resume training under coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier next Friday. Birmingham City striker Stern John and Wrexham trio — Dennis Lawrence, Carlos Edwards and Hector Sam — all left for their respective clubs via Manchester at around 4 pm yesterday.