Deprived of star coach, Ouanaminthe misses Concacaf Caribbean Cup playoffs

CAP-HAITIEN — Ouanaminthe Football Club 2011 (OFC) missed a spot in the Concacaf Caribbean Cup playoffs following a 2-2 draw with Grenades FC from Antigua and Barbuda on Tuesday night at Moca 85 Stadium in the Dominican Republic. The 2024 Haitian D1 soccer league runners-up struggled throughout the tournament, largely due to the absence of longtime head coach and co-founder Erick Dalusma, who departed two months prior. Fans believe his exit weakened the team’s performance and crushed their playoff aspirations.

Dalusma, a beloved figure in Ouanaminthe’s football scene, relocated to Orlando, Florida, in June through the humanitarian parole program ( I-134A), also known as the Biden program. He joined more than 150,000 Haitians seeking a better life in the U.S. His absence left the team in disarray.

“OFC is me,” Dalusma said. “But with the situation in Haiti, no one would turn down the chance to leave. It hurts not to be there for my team. If I was, they would have qualified.”

A team in decline without its longtime leader

Under Dalusma, Ouanaminthe achieved a historic second-place finish in Haiti’s top soccer league, securing their first-ever spot in the Concacaf Caribbean Cup. Known for his charismatic leadership, Dalusma helped mold a young, cohesive team that lacked individual superstars but excelled through collective play. Their standout player, Roobens ‘Paloulou’ Philogène, played an unselfish role, moving from his usual attacking position to midfield to support the team.

Yet, without Dalusma at the helm, the squad appeared disjointed. Replacing him with seasoned coach Roudy Joseph wasn’t enough to restore the spark. Fans noticed a lack of energy and tactical discipline, with some players reportedly considering leaving after Dalusma’s exit.

“I am willing to put my hands in the fire for this,” passionate supporter Lovensky Calixte said. “If Thuram [Dalusma] had gone to the Dominican Republic with the team, they would have qualified. Players play for coaches, and Thuram brought something special to this group.”

Dalusma, affectionately nicknamed “Thuram” after the legendary French defender Lilian Thuram, was not just a coach but a former player and mentor to many of the team’s veterans. His influence extended beyond tactics—he instilled a fighting spirit the team has sorely missed.

 A late collapse costs Ouanaminthe the match

Grenades FC opened the scoring in the 20th minute when Quinton Griffit’s unmarked header found the back of the net. Ouanaminthe responded with two penalty goals by Willinx ‘Dewoule’ Joseph, in the 45th and 69th minutes. Joseph, now tied as the tournament’s top scorer, benefited from the tireless efforts of teammate Widjoly Minoche, who won both penalties by drawing fouls in the box.

“I am willing to put my hands in the fire for this. If Thuram [Dalusma] had gone to the Dominican Republic with the team, they would have qualified. Players play for coaches, and Thuram brought something special to this group.”

Lovesnky Calixte, Fan of Ouanaminthe Football Club 2011

However, OFC couldn’t hold onto their advantage, conceding a last-minute equalizer in the 89th minute when Grenades center-back Malcolm Stewart scrambled home a loose ball from a set piece. The result left Ouanaminthe at the bottom of Group B, with two points and just one match remaining.

Only the top two teams will qualify for the playoffs. Dominican clubs Cibao FC and Moca FC occupy the first two places, each with seven points. 

Hopes dashed on rival soil

The Dominican Republic, a regional rival to Haiti, rubbed salt in Ouanaminthe’s wounds as two Dominican teams, Cibao FC and Moca FC, secured playoff spots. Both clubs sit comfortably atop the group with seven points, making it mathematically impossible for Ouanaminthe to advance.

This marks a bitter end to Ouanaminthe’s inaugural Concacaf Caribbean Cup campaign. In earlier matches, they managed a 1-1 draw with the Trinidadian side Port-of-Spain and a 3-1 loss against Moca FC—games Dalusma believes they should have won.

Standings of the Concacaf Caribbean Cup’s Group B standings as of September 24, 2024. Screenshot from Concacaf.com

Ouanaminthe’s final match in the group stage will be against Cibao FC on October 1. It will seek to salvage some pride before exiting the competition. Meanwhile, where Ouanaminthe goes from here remains uncertain.

Dalusma’s absence has cast doubt over the team’s future prospects. Many fans, like Calixte, worry that without him, the club may struggle to replicate last season’s success and qualify for future regional championships.

“Returning to this stage won’t be easy,” Calixte said. “This is a team that would be fighting relegation if they were still relegating teams in Haiti.”

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Deprived of star coach, Ouanaminthe misses Concacaf Caribbean Cup playoffs was first posted on September 26, 2024 at 10:40 am.