Spann leads Under-23s in Bahamas

SILVIO SPANN will wear the captain’s armband as the Trinidad and Tobago’s Under-23 football team takes on the Bahamas in back-to-back matches this weekend at the National Stadium, Nassau.

Trinidad and Tobago will kick-start their quest to advance from the first round in the 2004 CONCACAF Men’s Under-23 qualifying contest from 7.30 pm tomorrow and with the second match, again in Nassau, on Sunday from 2.30 pm. Technical advisor Muhammad Isa indicated that the “mood and spirit in the camp is good and the boys are prepared to give it their best shot.” The team had a three-hour long practice session at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva yesterday morning, their final warm-up before leaving for Nassau at 8 am today. Isa, who was added to the technical staff three weeks ago, said the team had little idea of the Bahamians’ style of play but, “based on the programme the coach had, I’m sure we can pull it off.” Former Strike Squad defender Brian Williams will serve as the team’s coach in the absence of Stuart Charles-Fevrier, who will accompany the senior national team on the tour of Morocco this weekend.

Full team: Goalkeepers — Daurance Williams (Jabloteh), Jan-Michael Williams (W Connection); Defenders —– Ronald Primus, Nigel Daniel (Jabloteh), Lyndon Diaz (SWIF), Corey Rivers (Defence Force), Devin Jordan, Hollis Brown, Julius James (Joe Public); Midfielders — Michael Celestine, Josh Johnson (Jabloteh), Devon Caseman, Densil Theobald (Joe Public), Glenton Wolfe (North East Stars), Silvio Spann (W Connection); Strikers — Devon Mitchell (Jabloteh), Andre Toussaint (Joe Public), Kendall Davis (W Connection); Brian Williams (coach); Muhammad Isa (technical adviser), Peter Rampersad (manager), Lennox Pilgrim (equipment manager), Zephyrinus Nicholas (physio).