latest news

Haiti’s Ouanaminthe soccer team struggles in Caribbean Cup, reflects deeper issues with Haitian sports

today2024-10-09 3

Haiti’s Ouanaminthe soccer team struggles in Caribbean Cup, reflects deeper issues with Haitian sports
share close

OUANAMINTHE — Inside the camp of Ouanaminthe Football Club 2011 (OFC) during their second group-stage match of the CONCACAF Caribbean Cup against Moca FC of the Dominican Republic, anxiety filled the air. The stakes were high after a 1-1 draw against Trinidad & Tobago’s AC Port of Spain, but OFC fell short, losing 3-1 to the Dominican team on Sept. 18.

“We played Cibao FC in 2017, but today was different,” said Roubens “Paloulou” Philogène, OFC’s star forward, after the match. 

“It wasn’t just a friendly. This was a competitive match in the CONCACAF Caribbean Cup. We’ve learned a lot, but the loss hurts.”

OFC’s struggles were glaring, with players unable to adapt to Moca’s evolving strategy. Confusion reigned on the field as the team clung to their pre-game plan, unable to pivot effectively. The coach’s instructions appeared unclear, adding to the team’s disorganization.

Despite their potential, the OFC players were weighed down by self-doubt and uncertainty. This hampered their ability to fully commit to their game, preventing them from advancing in the competition and potentially qualifying for the CONCACAF Champions League— the biggest prize in sight.

Criticism from local press

The local media in Ouanaminthe has been outspoken in its criticism of OFC’s performance.

“Given the level of football in the Dominican Republic compared to Haiti, our team’s defeats against Moca FC (3-1) and Cibao FC (4-1) are deeply disappointing,” said Pipo Alcénat, a sports journalist with Alliance FM radio. 

Ronald Charles, another local journalist, echoed this sentiment: “As the only team from the department competing at this level, this is a failure compared to our expectations.”

“As the only team in the department playing football at this level, we consider this a failure compared to our expectations.”

Ronald Charles, sports journalist

The 2024 Haitian Soccer League season saw OFC reach its first final in 13 years, but it lost the first division trophy to Real Hope Academy. However, its runner-up position allowed it to represent Haiti in the Caribbean Cup alongside the champions from Cap-Haitien.

Some analysts, however, placed less blame on the players and more on management. 

“Given Haiti’s socioeconomic realities and the exacerbated conditions these players face, we couldn’t expect better results,” Slande Joseph said. According to her, the country’s broader challenges significantly impacted the team’s performance.

Inexperience and poor preparation

OFC’s disappointing exit from the Caribbean Cup is partly attributed to the team’s inexperience. 

Star forward Philogène acknowledged that immaturity and lack of preparation were the team’s downfall. “We made many mistakes. We see the gaps and know where we need to improve. We’ll return stronger,” he said.

Coach Roudy Joseph cited his players’ technical shortcomings, noting that they struggled with ball control, passing, and shooting. “We couldn’t compete with better-prepared teams,” Joseph said after the team’s elimination on Oct. 1.

Like local analysts, Joseph acknowledged that the team’s lack of experience also contributed to its failure to advance.

Ouanaminthe Football Club’s star forward Roobens “Paloulou” Philogene is marking a player from Cibao FC of the Dominican Republic during their October 1, 2024 match. Photo via OFC’s Facebook account

Journalist Luckny Dalusma added that the team’s physical condition wasn’t the issue. Instead, tactical errors and poor decision-making were the culprits. “The OFC players showed good physical fitness but lacked discipline and preparation,” Dalusma noted.

After a humiliating defeat against Cibao FC, Coach Joseph’s players concluded their disastrous journey in the competition. In their first appearance in the Caribbean’s prestigious club tournament, the Captain of Borders, as the team is nicknamed in Ouanaminthe, failed to secure a win in any of their four matches. They recorded two draws and two losses, conceding 10 goals while scoring only five.

The results of Haiti’s northeastern club in the 2024 CONCACAF Caribbean Cup tournament are as follows:

  • (1-1) vs. Port of Spain
  • (1-3) vs. Moca FC
  • (2-2) vs. Jennings Grenades
  • (1-4) vs. Cibao FC

The script differs for Real Hope Academy, Haiti’s other representative at the regional tournament. The Cap-Haïtien-based team advanced to the playoffs after going undefeated in the group stage, winning two games and drawing two. 

Financial struggles and holiday championships

Adding to the challenges, several OFC players participated in unregulated amateur summer tournaments in Haiti and the Dominican Republic to earn extra money. Star players Deroule Joseph and Fredlin Philistin were among those who left the team’s training camp to play in a holiday tournament in Puerto Plata, earning higher wages than what they received from OFC. Their absence during key preparations hindered the team’s cohesion and readiness.

In a Facebook post after the tournament, Joseph, a talented striker, explained his decision by saying, “I didn’t join the holiday championship to harm my club’s chances.” He said he did it because he faced financial difficulties. “These tournaments pay better than the clubs in Haiti.”

The case of Ouanaminthe FC reflects a broader issue in Haitian soccer. Players often seek additional income through informal competitions, undermining their team’s performance at more formal, competitive levels.

OFC’s failure in the Caribbean Cup was not just about what happened on the field. Poor management, financial instability, and lack of preparation were equally to blame. As the team moves forward, addressing these issues will be key to achieving success in future competitions.

Joseph summed up the need for change when he said:

 “When you uphold sports principles at home and offer better financial support to players, they will stop participating in vacation championships. I didn’t play in the holiday tournament to intentionally harm my club’s chances in the regional competition. I did it because I faced financial challenges, and the money I earned from these tournaments helped me overcome them.”

The post Haiti’s Ouanaminthe soccer team struggles in Caribbean Cup, reflects deeper issues with Haitian sports appeared first on The Haitian Times.


Haiti’s Ouanaminthe soccer team struggles in Caribbean Cup, reflects deeper issues with Haitian sports was first posted on October 9, 2024 at 7:58 am.

Écrit par: Viewcom04

Rate it

0%