'Zum Zum' punishes sloppy AC, bags another TTPFL hat-trick

For the second time in a fortnight, Trinidad and Tobago men's under-20 football captain Derrel "Zum Zum" Garcia netted a hat-trick at the Phase 2 La Horquetta recreation ground to lead his San Juan Jabloteh team to victory in the TT Premier Football League (TTPFL). 

On March 6, Garcia opened his account for the season with a treble in a 5-0 win over 1976 FC Phoenix. Last night, the 19-year-old Garcia was at it again, as he netted a 14-minute hat-trick in the second half and took advantage of some calamitous defending by AC Port of Spain. The scores were tied at 1-1 at the half, with Garcia's second-half burst helping the sixth-placed Jabloteh (33 points) to a facile 4-1 win over the fifth-placed AC PoS (37 points). 

Funny enough, Garcia was involved in all five goals in the match, as both teams showed a fair level of generosity. In the fifth minute, it was a loose touch from Garcia, which led to the opener for AC PoS, as the youngster cheaply gave away possession in his own half with a heavy first touch. AC PoS worked the ball out right before midfielder Anthony Charles dug out a cross from the byline for flanker Josiah Wilson to slap in at the back stick. 

Just three minutes later, Jabloteh were back on level terms as Andell Fraser cut in on his right foot just inside the area to unleash a devious shot into the top corner and past Marvin Phillip after being picked out by Garcia. 

San Juan Jabloteh's Derrel "Zum Zum" Garcia (left) gives AC Port of Spain's Josiah Wilson the slip during a TTPFL match last season. Photo courtesy TTPFL

Not taking anything away from Garcia's hat-trick, but it's unlikely that he'll score three easier goals for the length of his TTPFL career. For his sake, hopefully, the TTPFL is a stepping stone for bigger things. 

Garcia's first came in the 64th minute as AC PoS central defender Robert Primus played a needless pass into his own box after cutting out a run from winger Jaheim Faustin. Garcia took some time to size up Phillip before passing a right footer a few inches to the keeper's left. 

If the first AC PoS mistake wasn't enough, Charles laid the ball on a platter for Garcia in the 76th minute as he tried to find a teammate with a blind back pass. The goal could be deemed as a breakdown in structure and communication from AC PoS, as left back Jelani Peters and the left centre back Primus were both pushed up in the opposition's half for a right-side throw. With Charles being pressed inside the opposition half, he played a pass where he expected a teammate to be. With the other centre back, Daneil Cyrus, also a couple of steps into the Jabloteh half, Charles' pass turned out to be perfect for Garcia, who slotted away to Phillip's right this time. 

Derrel "Zum Zum" Garcia (left) is congratulated by national under-20 teammate Phillip Nelson during a friendly earlier this year. Photo courtesy TTFA

Garcia's hat-trick came in the 78th minute, and on this occasion, he was assisted by somebody in green, Caden Trestrail. Again, AC PoS kept a relatively high line, which Trestrail and Garcia exploited as the latter rounded Phillip to slide into the net and put the exclamation point on the result. 

From 8 pm today, the second-placed Club Sando (45 points) can stall Defence Force's possible victory lap for another match day if they defeat Caledonia AIA in their matchup at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva. The Army/Coast Guard combination lead the 12-team table with 49 points and have the solitary match left in the league season. Meanwhile, Sando have two matches left and can enter the final match day with their title aspirations still intact if they can get a win over the ninth-placed "Cale." 

Should Sando taste defeat today, the Army will be crowned TTPFL tier one champions for the third time in four seasons. 

Jereem starts Trinidad and Tobago's campaign at World Indoors

Former World Indoor 400-metre champ Jereem Richards will speed off this country's campaign at the 2026 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Poland when he faces the starter in heat one of the men's 400m event from 6.56 am (TT time) tomorrow (March 20). 

The 32-year-old Richards will line up in lane six, with Slovenia's Lovro Mesec Kosir in lane three, Portugal's Ericsson Tavares in lane four, and Brazil's Matheus Lima in lane five. There will be six 400m heats in all, with the first two in each heat automatically moving onto the semifinals. The next four-fastest runners from the heats will also progress to the semis. Ranked number six in the world, Richards' season's best of 45.56 seconds is only bettered by Lima (45.54) in heat one.  

Of course, at last year's World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, Richards claimed silver in the 400m final in a national record time of 43.72, just dipping below the 43.78 time he clocked to finish an agonising fourth at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Fondly known as "The Dream," the Point Fortin native will certainly be visualising more success on the horizon. 

Trinidad and Tobago track and field stars Keshorn Walcott and Jereem Richards show off their respective 2025 World Athletics Championships gold and silver medals at a welcome reception at the Piarco International Airport on September 22, 2025. 

The 400m semis will run off at 3.44 pm (TT time) tomorrow, with the final set for 1.34 pm (TT time) on March 21. 

Richards will not be the only Trinidad and Tobago athlete in action on the opening day of competition, as 21-year-old Nathan Cumberbatch will line up in heat four of the men's 800m event from 8.42 am (TT time) tomorrow. A total of six 800m heats will be contested, with the top two in each heat moving directly to the semis. The six next-fastest runners will also progress to the semis, which will run off from 8.08 am (TT time) on March 21. 

Also on March 21, rising sprint queen Leah Bertrand will face the starter in the women's 60m heats, which speed off from 6.05 am (TT time). Meanwhile, from 5.20 am (TT time) on March 22, Tyra Gittens-Spotsville will contest the women's long jump final. 

The Trinidad and Tobago contingent at the 2026 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Poland. Photo courtesy NAAATT's Facebook page 

Army lose to Sando, TTPFL lead cut to one point

TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) holders Defence Force (46 points) saw their lead atop the 2025/26 standings cut to one point tonight, as they lost 2-1 to the second-placed Club Sando (45 points) at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo. 

With a victory, the Army/Coast Guard combination would have lifted the TTPFL tier one trophy with two games to spare. However, coach Devorn Jorsling's team never really hit top gear against Sando, with their performance instead mirroring their display in a 1-0 loss to Miscellaneous Police FC on the weekend. 

Ultimately, two defensive blunders from two experienced heads proved to be Defence Force's demise on the night, as the pair of Isaiah Garcia and Sheldon Bateau were culpable for the goals conceded. Starting the game in an unfamiliar centre back role, Garcia cheaply gave away possession in the third minute, before compounding the matter by clumsily bringing down the speedy Tarik Lee in the penalty area. Sando central midfielder Luke Phillips, arguably the best player on the night, calmly placed his left-footed penalty past goalkeeper Isaiah Williams to give Sando the 1-0 lead. 

In the 29th minute, it was Lee's turn to profit from an error, as he picked off a loose clearance from Bateau, who tried to deal with a lofted ball from Sando skipper Shervohnez Hamilton. Lee made no mistake with the gift and easily shot the ball past Williams and into the bottom corner. 

Club Sando central midfielder Luke Phillips celebrates his team's opening goal against Defence Force on March 18. Photo courtesy Club Sando's Instagram page

Bateau's woes didn't end there, as the central defender was shown a straight red by referee Andrew Samuel in the 85th minute for a dangerous high challenge near the half-line. At that stage, it was all hands on deck for Defence Force, who had received a lifeline deep into first-half stoppage-time from attacker Kathon St Hillaire. 

With his team desperately looking for answers and some inspiration, St Hillaire poked past goalie Teshorne Ragoo from close range after midfielder Justin Sadoo picked him out with a pass which just eluded a lunging Elton John. It was one of the rare moments Defence Force got behind an otherwise stubborn Sando backline. 

The Army did have their chances to get an equaliser, particularly in the early stages of the second half, but St Hillaire, neither the playmaking pair of Joevin Jones and Kevin Molino could find the magic touch their team needed. At the other end, Williams was doing his best to keep his team in the match, as he palmed away a firm drive from Phillips, while also cutting out a dangerous, low cross from Hamilton. Before Bateau was sent for an early shower, he too played his part in keeping Sando at bay as he put in an acrobatic block to stop a volley from Hamilton in the 68th minute. 

Club Sando land a big TTPFL victory over Defence Force. 

With the ten-man Army knowing that a draw would keep them four points ahead of Sando, they threw bodies forward. In the seventh minute of second-half stoppage-time, a window of opportunity appeared to be opening for substitute Tyrese Bailey at the back stick, but the ever-present Phillips made a brilliant challenge before the former could get his shot away. 

In the first game of the Hasely Crawford double-header, Prisons FC (41 points) moved up to third on the 12-team table when they came from behind to beat San Juan Jabloteh (30 points) 2-1. 

On March 20, Defence Force will hope to put their untimely skid to bed when they play Eagles. Meanwhile, on March 21, Club Sando will tackle Caledonia AIA as they aim to keep their own title aspirations alive. 

Trinidad and Tobago netballers eager to defend Jean Pierre crown

Trinidad and Tobago's under-16 netball team are ready to pull out all the stops in defence of their Jean Pierre Caribbean Youth Netball Tournament title when the 2026 edition of the competition jumps off from April 11-17 at UWI Spec in St Augustine. 

Last April, the team coached by Sojourner Hyles-Lewis and assistant Simone Morgan secured the title for the first time when they went unbeaten in the tourney, which was held in Barbados. TT's Shian Lewis, who's also a national middle-distance runner at the junior level, copped the MVP award, with teammate Makayla Grant earning the most accurate shooter honour. 

Members of Trinidad and Tobago's under-16 netball team strike a pose. File photo courtesy Netball TT

The 22nd edition of the Jean Pierre Caribbean Youth Netball Tournament is expected to be a bumper one, with the hosts, TT, welcoming Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, and St Lucia for a week of nonstop action. 

A Netball TT release said, "Fans can expect a week of exciting and competitive netball as teams battle for regional supremacy while showcasing the next generation of Caribbean netball talent." 

Trinidad and Tobago's Makayla Grant (L) in action against Grenada at the 2025 Jean Pierre Caribbean Youth Netball  Tournament. Photo courtesy Akil Pegus

Senegal stripped of AFCON title; set to appeal to CAS

After Senegal were stripped of their 2025/26 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title courtesy of a bombshell ruling by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on March 17, the Senegalese Football Federation (SFF) has indicated its desire to take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). 

In its ruling, the CAF Appeal Board found the Senegal team guilty of breaching Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the CAF AFCON, thus seeing their initial 1-0 victory over Morocco on January 18 being overturned to a 3-0 result in the Moroccans' favour. 

Photo courtesy Confederation of African Football

Article 82 reads, "If, for any reason whatsoever, a team withdraws from the competition or does not report for a match, or refuses to play or leaves the ground before the regular end of the match without the authorisation of the referee, it shall be considered looser (sic) and shall be eliminated for good from the current competition."

Article 84 cemented the ruling for the Appeal Board. Article 84 says, "The team which contravenes the provisions of articles 82 and 83 shall be eliminated for good from the competition. This team will lose its match by 3-0 unless the opponent has scored a more advantageous result at the time when the match was interrupted; in this case, this score will be maintained." 

The SFF doesn't plan to go down without a fight, though, and late on March 17, it signalled its intentions to tackle the matter head-on. 

"The Senegalese Football Federation denounces an unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable decision that discredits African football," an SFF release said. 

"To defend its rights and the interests of Senegalese football, the federation will initiate, as soon as possible, an appeal procedure before the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne." 

The SFF said it remains committed to upholding the values and integrity of sporting justice. 

 A snapshot of Articles 82-84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations. 

In an AFCON final which was tense and heated at times, the Senegalese felt aggrieved when a late goal from star forward Ismaila Sarr was disallowed for an infringement. With the scores goalless deep into second-half stoppage-time, the Moroccans were awarded a penalty after a VAR review, with defender El Hadji Malick Diouf adjudged to have fouled in the area. Senegal coach Pape Thiaw was livid, and he ordered his players off the field in protest. Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and most of the Senegal players even headed back to the dressing room, with veteran forward Sadio Mane imploring his teammates to return to the playing field. 

After a delay of over 15 minutes, the Senegal players returned. The lanky Mendy had the easiest of tasks as he saved a tame "Panenka" effort from Real Madrid's Brahim Diaz. Senegal's elation then soared through the roof in the 94th minute, with Pape Gueye scoring the decisive extra-time goal. 

Roughly eight weeks later, the Senegalese are now learning the true ramifications of their actions, with CAF effectively awarding the trophy to Morocco. 

The CAF Appeal Board confirmed that the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) was fined up to US$ 160,000 for some of the actions of their team and supporters in the controversial final. A US$ 50,000 fine was imposed on the FRMF for the conduct of their ball boys, a US$ 100,000 fine was imposed on the Moroccans for interference in the VAR review area, while a US$ 10,000 fine was imposed for a laser incident during the match. 

King: We were naive against Bolivia

Trinidad and Tobago men's football team interim coach Derek King admitted that his team was naive in their friendly clash with Bolivia on March 15, and felt three mistakes eventually cost them the game in a 3-0 loss at the Ramon Tahuichi Aguilera Stadium, Santa Cruz de la Sierra. 

TT were under the pump early in the friendly, which fell outside the Fifa international match window, with goalkeeper Jabari Brice making at least three saves before the deadlock was eventually broken in the 23rd minute with a header from Bolivia captain Luis Haquin. With the visitors facing incessant pressure in the first half, the busy Juan Godoy made it 2-0 in the 38th minute, before Fernando Nava scored the home team's third in the 51st minute. 

A bit too late: Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper Jabari Brice retrieves the ball in vain after Bolivia netted the opening goal in their March 15 friendly. Photos courtesy TTFA

TT set up defensively in what resembled a 5-3-2 shape, with the centre back trio of Darnell Hospedales, Alvin Jones, and Jesse Williams having to deal with numerous crosses in the area. In midfield, the pair of Shervohnez Hamilton and captain Andre Rampersad found the going tough and struggled to connect with playmaker Joevin Jones to give TT any semblance of control. 

When his team did have the ball, King felt they weren't brave enough. 

"In the first half, we were a bit naive. In the sense that we didn't put down the football and play," King said, at the post-match presser.

"I told the guys that Bolivia at home will always be difficult, a team that's preparing to play their playoff game (to try and qualify for the World Cup). For the first 20 minutes, I told them we had to stay in the game." 

King said the first goal was a soft one to concede, but he appeared to cut his team some slack due to the inexperience of some of the players at this level. 

Trinidad and Tobago's Alvin Jones (L) and Shervohnez Hamilton try to contain Bolivia forward Juan Godoy. 

"All in all, I think the guys did well. It's a very young team we brought here. You want to win all the games, but it's a really young team. Five players made their debuts today as well. We saw some positives in the game coming from the younger players," he said. 

The five players to debut for the visitors on the day were: Brice; Elijah Cordner; Jaheim Faustin; Addae Paponette, and 18-year-old defender Adam "Toka" Pierre, who had a relatively decent showing at centre back after coming on late in the first half. Brice and Paponette both started. Paponette was a non-factor in a striking role as TT rarely got into promising positions in the final third, with Brice arguably being one of the reasons why the score wasn't more lopsided. 

The newcomers aside, it's not to say the TT starting XI was lacking experience. Brothers Alvin and Joevin Jones have over 160 caps between them, while the trio of Ross Russell Jr, Ryan Telfer, and Rampersad all have north of 20 caps for the national team. 

Trinidad and Tobago men's team interim coach Derek King gives instructions to debutant Addae Paponette (L) during the friendly against Bolivia. 

After being appointed as the team's interim coach on March 6, King said he had just three days to prepare the team for the friendly. And though the scoreline may not reflect such, he maintained that the outing wasn't an exercise in futility. 

"I think we came up against a well-prepared team. Players playing with professional clubs, especially in the Bolivian league," the interim coach said. "What you saw there were guys playing at the international level for the first time. This was a good game for us to expose the younger players and show them the physical demands of international football. 

"They did well. We have plenty to work on. As I told them, when you make a mistake, it will cost you. We made three mistakes, and they cost us the game as well." 

It remains to be seen how many players will be retained for TT's upcoming games in the Fifa Series against Venezuela and Gabon on March 27 and 30, respectively. 

Rampersad to captain Trinidad and Tobago vs Bolivia; King urges discipline

Halifax Wanderers central midfielder Andre Rampersad will captain Trinidad and Tobago's men's national football team when they play Bolivia in a friendly at the Ramon Tahuichi Aguilera Stadium in Santa Cruz de la Sierra on March 15. The TT Football Association (TTFA) has advised that the game will now kick off at 4 pm (TT time) and not the previously scheduled 6.30 pm kickoff. 

With as many as eight players receiving their first-time call-ups to the TT team, and interim coach Derek King including three players from the under-20 team, the 31-year-old Rampersad is expected to be a driving force on the field, having become a regular in the setup over the last few years. Ramersad has made 30 appearances for TT since debuting in a Concacaf Nations League match in March 2023. Since then, he has been a mainstay in the midfield alongside Daniel Phillips. 

"Andre has been one of the most consistent players for TT. I think with his experience playing abroad, he brings that leadership quality to the younger players," King said of Rampersad, whom he coached in his days at FC Santa Rosa in the then-TT Super League. 

TT midfielder Andre Rampersad (second from left) during a training session in Bolivia. Rampersad will captain the team for the March 15 friendly versus the Bolivians. Photos courtesy TTFA

While King sees the game as an opportunity for many of the younger players to wet their feet at the international level outside an official Fifa window, the contest comes at a critical time for Bolivia as they continue the fine-tuning ahead of their Fifa intercontinental playoff with Suriname on March 26. Should Bolivia get past Suriname and navigate the subsequent playoff with Iraq, they will take their place at this year's World Cup. 

"It's important to see if these younger players could match up and take instructions, which is the key. It's just to get them going and have them following the instructions from the coaches," King told TTFA Media. 

On TT's last visit to Bolivia in January 2022, the team, which was then coached by Angus Eve, suffered a 5-0 loss. Defender Alvin Jones and Ramersad's Halifax teammate Ryan Telfer are two survivors from that squad. 

Regardless of what the circumstances may be, King wants his players to maintain their focus and seize the moments when they come their way. 

At the helm: TT men's football team interim coach Derek King

"Playing against a Bolivia team at home is always a challenge. It's a very strong and experienced team as well...I think with this young squad, we have the potential. It's to give the youths that experience. As I told them, we have to be disciplined in this game. We have to go out there and really keep the discipline, keep the shape, and be brave." 

He said it's important for his team to avoid mistakes, as they can prove detrimental at the international level. 

"Ball speed and discipline are very important. Once we get our chances as well, we can create chances and score goals as well."  

After the Bolivia match, TT are expected to have a strengthened team for the Fifa Series, which falls in the Fifa international window. The matches in the Fifa Series will be played against Venezuela and Gabon on March 27 and 30, respectively. 

Caprietta, 'Toka' hunt playing time in Bolivia

National under-20 defenders Jaydon Caprietta, 17, and Adam "Toka" Pierre, 18, are both eager to get their feet wet at the senior international level as the Trinidad and Tobago men's football team prepare for their friendly away to Bolivia on March 15. The game will be played at the Ramon Tahuichi Aguilera Stadium, Santa Cruz, with kickoff at 6.30 pm (TT time). 

TT men's under-20 defender Adam "Toka" Pierre goes through his paces during a training session with the senior team earlier this week. Photos courtesy TTFA Media

Caprietta, an adventurous left back, was one of the bright sparks in the TT under-20 team's Concacaf qualifying campaign in Costa Rica from February 24-March 4, even scoring in TT's thumping 5-1 win over Barbados. Meanwhile, Pierre was relatively solid at the back for TT, often using his recovery speed and sheer grit to out fires which threatened to break down the TT defence. Despite good individual showings from both players, TT finished third in group E behind Costa Rica and Bermuda and did not advance to the Concacaf Under-20 Championships. 

Both players are taking the lessons from their time in Alajuela, Costa Rica, and are hoping to get a chance to show their mettle in Bolivia. 

"In Bolivia, my mindset is one of focus. I don't know when I will be called upon, but I will always be ready. I expect the game to be hard. Hopefully, I can pick up a couple of minutes. But if I don't, I'd still be grateful for this opportunity," Caprietta told TT Football Association (TTFA) Media, in a video which was shared on March 13. 

TT men's under-20 left back Jaydon Caprietta reacts after scoring against Barbados in a Concacaf Under-20 qualifier last month. 

The Naparima College student, who patterns his game after Portugal and PSG left back Nuno Mendes, says representing his country at the highest level has always been a dream. 

"Since I was younger, I always wanted to be a part of this, so seeing former coach Dwight Yorke and the team almost qualifying for the World Cup, it really excited me, and I want to be part of this." 

And while he said the opportunity to play at the national senior level has come a bit sooner than he expected, Caprietta is locked in and loaded for this new chapter of his career. 

Seemingly a man of few words, Pierre does most of his talking on the football field with his no-nonsense and physical presence at the back. Already with some TT Premier Football League appearances under his belt for a few clubs, Pierre is ready for this next challenge. 

"I feel good being part of this generation for the 2030 World Cup," Pierre said. "It's good being here, and I'm looking to get some minutes. I know it's going to be difficult because there are experienced players. So I'm just going and do my part.

"When I leave Boiliva, I'll continue to develop as a young player. I'm hoping to pick up everything possible while in this camp," Pierre said. "I have some familiar players around me and some new faces. Hopefully, they can pass on the experience to me." 

Caprietta and Pierre are among eight players who have received first-time call-ups. The others are: Jaheim Faustin; Kaieem Lewis; Addae Paponette; goalie Teshorne Ragoo, and the young European-based pair of Elijah Cordner and James Lester. San Juan Jabloteh attacking midfielders Derrel Garcia and Lindell Sween are among the other bright, young prospects in the camp.

Interim coach Derek King has boasted of a good mix of youth and experience in the squad, with players such as Alvin Jones, Joevin Jones, Ross Russell Jr and the Halifax Wanderers pair of Andre Rampersad and Ryand Telfer expected to add much-needed experience to the setup.  

After playing Bolivia, TT will play Venezuela and Gabon in the Fifa Series on March 27 and 30, respectively. 

TT team to face Bolivia: 

Goalkeepers: Jabari Brice, Teshorne Ragoo, Jabari St Hillaire. 

Defenders: Alvin Jones, Jaydon Caprietta, Isaiah Garcia, Shervohnez Hamilton, Darnell Hospedales, James Lester, Adam Pierre, Ross Russell Jr, Jesse Williams. 

Midfielders: Elijah Cordner, Daniel David, Jaheim Faustin, Derrel Garcia, Joevin Jones, Andre Rampersad, Lindell Sween. 

Forwards: Kaieem Lewis, Addae Paponette, Kathon St Hillaire, Ryan Telfer. 

TTPFL golden boot race heats up

This weekend is expected to be an intriguing one in the 2025/26 TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) season, as the top four teams will be squaring off against each other. 

Holders and current leaders, Defence Force (46 points), will take on third-placed rivals Miscellaneous Police FC (36 points) from 4 pm at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar, on March 15. Meanwhile, the second-placed Club Sando (42 points) are expected to have their hands full when they take on the fourth-placed Prisons FC (35 points) from 8 pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, tomorrow (March 14). 

Tarik Lee (number 9) is the man to watch in the Club Sando attack. Photo courtesy Club Sando

While the top four teams and the fifth-placed AC Port of Spain (34 points) are still jostling for Concacaf spots, another race is brewing as the TTPFL's golden boot charge is well and truly on. The league's leading goals scorer, Joevin Jones (11 goals), is away to Bolivia on international duty with the Trinidad and Tobago men's national team. Jones' absence could leave the door open for a new player to soar to the top of the scoring charts, as the trio of Teejay Cadiz, Dominic Douglas, and Tarik Lee are all tied on ten goals. 

From 6 pm today at the Phase 2 La Horquetta recreation grounds, Douglas' Eagles team will take on AC PoS. Meanwhile, when Lee's Club Sando take on Prisons tomorrow, the nippy striker will be hoping to help his team reverse their 1-0 loss to Dexter Cyrus' Prisons outfit earlier this season. 

A look at the TT Premier Football League's top scorers heading into match 19

And in an early 2 pm kickoff in Malabar on March 15, Cadiz will be looking to inspire the ninth-placed 1976 FC Phoenix team when they take on the inconsistent Central FC Reboot, who find themselves in seventh place with 24 points. Phoenix have conceded the joint-highest number of goals this season (48), while Central will be without some key players such as Daniel David, Alvin Jones, Ross Russell Jr, and goalie Jabari Brice. All four have been called up by interim coach Derek King for TT's friendly with Bolivia on March 15. With that being said, expect goals to flow in the first game of the Malabar double-header this weekend. 

Do you have any picks for the golden boot winner? 

This is how the TTPFL top five is shaping up with just four games to go. 

Fatima, St Joseph's Convent PoS bag water polo hat-tricks

The students of Fatima College and St Joseph's Convent Port of Spain (SJCPoS) displayed their dominance when the Republic Bank Aquatic Sports Association of TT (ASATT) National Secondary Schools Water Polo League concluded on the weekend, as both splashed to a hat-trick of titles. 

When the action wrapped up at the National Aquatic Centre in Balmain, Couva, on March 8, both schools had won the respective under-14, under-16, and open trophies. On the previous weekend, the Form One titles went to Bishop Anstey High School PoS (BAHS) and Diego Martin Central, respectively. BAHS beat Diego Central to the girls' Form One crown, but the Diego Martin boys put things right when a seven-goal showing from Andriel Williams powered them to a tight 9-8 victory over Queen's Royal College in the boys' Form One finale. 

The girls from SJCPoS made their intentions clear when they drubbed BAHS 15-2 in the under-14 final to clinch their first of three titles. Romaya Pierre and Drew Thomas scored four goals apiece to lead the SJCPoS riot.  

In the under-16 final against Holy Name Convent, SJCPoS used a breathtaking second-half performance to romp to a 22-12 victory after leading 9-7 at the halfway stage. Shauna Murphy was instrumental in SJCPoS's run to the under-16 title, leading with seven goals, while Alexis Avey, Eliana Lee, and Abella Mollenthiel all scored four goals each. Melanie Valdez Brown fought admirably for Holy Name with a team-high seven goals. 

In the girls' open final, SJCPoS had another battle with BAHS. On this occasion, BAHS were up for the fight, but just fell on the wrong side of a 6-5 scoreline. BAHS led 4-1 at the halftime break thanks to a Mya Dos Santos double, but her team was held scoreless in the third quarter as SJCPoS jumped out to a 5-4 lead. In the final quarter, Lee netted her second goal of the game to ensure SJCPoS hoisted their third trophy on the day. 

Holy Name Convent Port of Spain's Amilya Marshall (R) lines up a shot against St Joseph's Convent Port of Spain in the under-16 final of the National Secondary Schools Water Polo League at the National Aquatic Centre, Couva, on March 8. Photos courtesy Sorias Media 

Fatima got their title-hunt started on March 7 when they clobbered St Mary's College 19-5 in the under-14 final. Liam Rogers and Jude Galt scored six and five goals, respectively, to lead the boys from Mucurapo Road to their first title. Fatima's "B" team, meanwhile, registered a fourth-placed finish in the under-14 division after losing a tight third-place playoff. 

None shall pass: Fatima College "B" team player Gabriel Joseph (R) looks for a passing option against St Mary's College in their under-16 bronze-medal matchup in the National Secondary Schools Water Polo League. 

 

In both the under-16 and open finals, Fatima overpowered the QRC outfit to complete their hat-trick. The under-16 final was a much closer affair than the open finale, and Fatima actually trailed the Royalians 6-7 at halftime. By the end of the third quarter, QRC still had the upper hand, leading 10-9. In the final quarter, though, Fatima hit the accelerator as both Logan Calder and Giovanni Felician-Moses scored three goals in the period to help their school to a 17-13 comeback victory. Felician-Moses scored a game-high six goals, with both Luke Gibson and Aaron Villafana netting five goals in the losing effort for QRC. 

The open final was much more straightforward for Fatima, who opened up a big 9-2 lead at the end of the first quarter, en route to a 19-9 victory. Jeremiah Henriques-Brown matched the opponents' tally with an impressive nine-goal performance, with Liam Chin Lee chipping in with five goals. Villafana scored a double for QRC, while Javier Jordan led the Royalians with five goals. Their efforts weren't nearly enough to stop Fatima from cruising to their third title to end a dominant weekend in the pool. 

Jubilant Fatima College players dive in the pool after copping one of their three titles at the National Secondary Schools Water Polo League at the National Aquatic Centre, Couva, on March 8. 

Trinidad and Tobago women, El Salvador square off on April 17

The date, time, and venue have been locked in for the crucial Concacaf W Qualifier between Trinidad and Tobago's women's football team and El Salvador. The encounter is a must-win one for the TT women and will be played from 6 pm at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, on April 17. The match details were confirmed via a release from Concacaf earlier today (March 9).

Next month's match is the last for either team in the qualifying round as they aim to advance to the Concacaf W Championships. El Salvador are currently first in group F with six points after wins over Honduras (3-0) and Barbados (13-0), with TT second in the group on four points after salvaging a 2-2 draw away to Honduras last week. TT opened up the qualifiers with a resounding 5-0 win away to Barbados in December. Only the group winner will advance to the Concacaf W Championship. 

The Trinidad and Tobago women's football team celebrate a goal against Honduras in a Concacaf W Qualifier on March 4. Photo courtesy TTFA

The Concacaf W Championship is the region's qualifying tournament for the 2027 Fifa Women's World Cup and the 2028 LA Olympics. The region's two highest-ranked teams, Canada and the US, received a bye to the Concacaf W Championship.   

In their match versus Honduras in Tegucigalpa on March 4, TT fell behind 2-0 midway through the first half. TT's fightback started late in the first half, as left back Kedie Johnson scored a penalty, before teenage sensation Nikita Gosine calmly scored a penalty of her own in the 87th minute to earn her team a share of the spoils.

In just over five weeks, the TT women will need all three points against El Salvador if they are to keep their World Cup dreams alive. 

The Trinidad and Tobago women's football team will face El Salvador in a crucial Concacaf W Qualifier at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on April 17. 

Derrel 'Zum' Zum' Garcia nets TTPFL hat-trick

Trinidad and Tobago men's under-20 football team captain Derrel "Zum Zum" Garcia lit up the Phase 2 La Horquetta recreation ground with a stylish hat-trick on March 6, as his San Juan Jabloteh team crushed 1976 FC Phoenix 5-0. These were the first goals of the 2025/26 TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) season for Garcia, who scored nine goals last season en route to winning the league's Rising Star award.

Garcia opened the scoring for the sixth-placed Jabloteh in the 26th minute after being sprung on the counter by Malachi Webb, as he checked back on his right foot before curling a beautiful shot past goalkeeper Duvaughn Daniel. Just past the hour mark, Garcia got his and Jabloteh's second when he slammed a shot off the base of the post and in, after being teed up by lanky striker Dwight Jordan.

Jabloteh then put the game beyond all doubt with a quick three-goal burst in a 12-minute span, as flankers Jaheim Faustin and Andell Fraser both scored, before Zum Zum wrapped up the scoring with his hat-trick in the 74th minute. 

San Juan Jabloteh's Derrel Garcia (L) on the go during the 2024/25 TTPFL season. Photo courtesy TTPFL

Jordan, Faustin, and Fraser were all involved in the build-up, which led to Garcia's hat-trick goal, with Fraser eventually being clipped in the area by Daniel. Calm as ever, Garcia made no mistake from the spot as he rolled his penalty into the bottom corner to seal Jabloteh's five-star showing.

Jabloteh moved up to 27 points, with Phoenix (15 points) slipping to ninth on the 12-team table.

In the second game of the La Horquetta double-header, Caledonia AIA (16 points) moved up to eighth as they thumped the seventh-placed Central FC Reboot (24 points) 5-1. "Cale" took a 3-0 lead to the half after goals from Vynicius Dutra Sousa, Shaquan Nelson, and Jesse Williams, with flanker Jadiel Joseph putting the icing on the cake with a second-half brace.

The TTPFL action continues today with games at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella and at the St James Police Barracks. At 8 pm at the barracks, fifth-placed AC Port of Spain (31 points) will play third-placed Miscellaneous Police FC (36 points). 

Derrel "Zum Zum" Garcia's masterclass against 1976 FC Phoenix in the TTPFL. 

D King returns as national team interim coach

Not for the first time, Derek King has been appointed interim coach of the Trinidad and Tobago men's football team. And his first mission will be to lead TT into friendly action away to Bolivia on March 15, before the senior team plays two matches in the Fifa Series late this month against Venezuela (March 27) and Gabon (March 30). 

The TT Football Association (TTFA) confirmed King's interim appointment on March 6, only a day after it said the contract of former senior team coach Dwight Yorke had been terminated via a mutual agreement on February 28. King is not short on experience with the national men's team, as he served as an assistant coach to both Yorke and his predecessor, Angus Eve. King was also an assistant to Stephen Hart, one of the country's most successful and popular coaches in the last decade. King got success of his own in 2014, when he led the TT under-20s to the Caribbean Cup title. 

Trinidad and Tobago men's football team interim coach Derek King. Photo courtesy TTFA

When the TTFA and Eve went their separate ways in July 2024, King assumed the interim role, which saw him taking charge of Concacaf Nations League matches against Honduras, French Guiana, and Cuba. King's first game as interim boss saw TT tasting a heavy 4-0 loss away to the Hondurans. 

The TTFA release said King brings extensive experience to the national programme as he spearheads the team for the three upcoming games and the foreseeable future. The TTFA said it will release further information regarding the composition of the technical staff in due course. 

The team for the Bolivia friendly is expected to be announced by March 10, with rumors suggesting that national under-20 defender Adam Pierre and the San Juan Jabloteh pair of Derrel Garcia and Jaheim Faustin are among those set to be called up. 

 

Joevin, Army lead TTPFL charts

Defence Force (45 points) may have been humbled in their Concacaf Champions Cup tie with Philadelphia Union, but they're still a cut above the rest on the local circuit at present, boasting a six-point lead in the 2025/26 TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) standings after 17 matches. 

With five games left in the league season, Defence Force are still unbeaten and are threatening to go undefeated for back-to-back league seasons. After being shown a red card in Defence Force's 5-0 first-leg loss to Philadelphia on Ash Wednesday, 34-year-old playmaker Joevin Jones got back down to business on March 4, scoring a brace as his team defeated Tobago's 1976 FC Phoenix 4-1 in a midweek TTPFL game. In the process, Jones moved to the top of the TTPFL scoring charts with 11 goals, just one ahead of Phoenix forward Teejay Cadiz. 

Having scored four league goals earlier this season for Miscellaneous Police FC before making the move to the Army/Coast Guard combination, Jones will be eager to add to his tally, as Defence Force are scheduled to face the cellar-placed Point Fortin Civic on March 7. 

Defence Force midfielder Joevin Jones (right) takes on a Philadelphia Union player during their Concacaf Champions Cup round one tie on February 18. Photo courtesy Concacaf/Daniel Prentice

From 6 pm at the Phase 2 La Horquetta recreation ground on March 6, the sixth-placed San Juan Jabloteh (24 points) will play the eighth-placed Phoenix (15 points), with the seventh-placed MIC Central FC Reboot (24 points) taking on the ninth-placed Caledonia AIA (13 points) in the second game of the double-header. 

At the St James Police Barracks on March 7, the tenth-placed Eagles (13 points) will tackle the fourth-placed Prisons FC (32 points) in the first match, with the fifth-placed AC Port of Spain (31 points) then facing the third-placed Police (36 points) in a tasty clash. 

At the Manny Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella on March 7, the second-placed Club Sando (39 points) will look to make their mark before Defence Force take centre stage when they go head-to-head with the 11th-placed Terminix La Horquetta Rangers (12 points). 

Top scorers in the TTPFL 2025/26 season after 17 matches. 

A look at the TTPFL top five in the 2025/26 season after 17 matches. 

TTFA, Yorke say 'mutual' goodbyes

The TT Football Association (TTFA) has parted ways with men's football team coach Dwight Yorke just ten days before an international friendly with Bolivia, claiming the coach's contract was "terminated by mutual agreement" on February 28. 

After media reports earlier today suggested that Yorke had stepped down from the post, the TTFA issued a release which said both parties had agreed to go their separate ways after failing to find a common ground to take the men's football programme forward. 

"Following the conclusion of the recent Fifa World Cup qualification campaign in which TT failed to advance to the 2026 World Cup, the executive committee conducted a comprehensive review of the campaign and the overall direction of the men's senior national team programme, inclusive of its technical structure and financial framework," the March 5 release said. 

The release said discussions were held with Yorke regarding revised contractual terms and remuneration geared towards the next phase of the setup. However, "after these discussions," the release read, "both parties were unable to reach an agreement on the proposed terms at this time, and it was mutually decided to part ways." 

Former Trinidad and Tobago men's football team captain and coach, Dwight Yorke. Photo courtesy TTFA

Yorke was officially appointed TT men's coach on November 1, 2024, and was given a clear mandate to qualify for this year's World Cup. TT finished third in group B of Concacaf's final qualifying round behind Curacao and favourites Jamaica, thus missing out on a spot in the World Cup and the intercontinental playoffs as well. 

When Yorke's predecessor, Angus Eve, was relieved of his duties as men's team coach in July 2024, Derek King was appointed on an interim basis, spearheading the team for a handful of matches in the Concacaf Nations League. With TTFA president Kieron Edwards and his board having little time to appoint a new coach before the March 15 Bolivia friendly and subsequent Fifa Series matches against Venezuela (March 27) and Gabon (March 30) in Uzbekistan, King is being tipped to take over the team in the interim once again. It's worth noting that the Bolivia friendly falls outside the March 23-31 Fifa window. 

The TTFA thanked Yorke for his commitment and service during his tenure, and insisted the door is not closed to future dialogue between the two parties. It said it remains committed to strengthening the men's team programme and "will continue to act in the best interests of TT football."  

Trinidad and Tobago grab late draw with Honduras

Trinidad and Tobago's women's football team stayed alive in their quest to advance to the Concacaf W Championships, as they fought back to get a 2-2 draw against Honduras in a qualifier on March 4. 

TT were stunned early on in the Concacaf W Qualifier in Tegucigalpa, as a stylish brace from striker Allyson Reed gave Honduras a 2-0 lead by the 21st minute. With TT enjoying as much as 72 per cent possession in the first half, along with nine shots, they got a way back into the contest in the 41st minute when French-based defender Kedie Johnson calmly dispatched a penalty. Honduras defender Izabella Hernandez was adjudged to have handled in the area, with TT head coach Damian Briggs and assistant Densill Theobald alerting the referee and fourth official to the infringement. 

Trinidad and Tobago women's team forward Nikita Gosine (left) during a Concacaf W Qualifier away to Barbados in December 2025. Photo courtesy TTFA

TT lost their momentum in the second half, with Honduras comfortably sitting on their one-goal cushion. Still, Honduras' goalie Madeline Nieto was called upon to make a fine save in the 73rd minute to stop a fierce drive from outside the area. With TT running out of time, Pleasantville Secondary standout Nikita Gosine clawed her team on level terms when she expertly converted an 87th-minute penalty after being fouled in the area by Yensi Ferrera. 

TT did face some nervy moments late on as the hosts won a few set pieces, but they held on to earn the draw, which took them to four points in group F of the qualifiers. 

On April 18, TT will host group leaders El Salvador (six points) with a spot in the Concacaf W Championships on the line. Only a win in that match will see TT moving to the next round, which kicks off in November. 

The final score in the Concacaf W Qualifier between Honduras and Trinidad and Tobago on March 4. 

'Los Ticos' beat Trinidad and Tobago to Concacaf U-20 spot

The objective for Trinidad and Tobago's men's under-20 team was clear, but executing it proved much tougher, as they were whipped 3-0 by Costa Rica in Alajuela on March 4, in their Concacaf Under-20 qualifier. The win saw Costa Rica finishing atop group E with ten points and will see them move on to the Concacaf Under-20 Men's Championships, with TT missing out on the sole qualifying spot as they eventually finished the group in third on seven points. Bermuda, which drew with both Costa Rica and TT, placed second with eight points. 

Needing a victory to leapfrog Costa Rica in the group and progress to the Concacaf Championships, coach Marvin Gordon's team never established a rhythm in the attacking third to pose enough of a threat to Costa Rican goalkeeper Ian Orourke. It could be argued that the hosts weren't particularly spectacular in the final third either, but they weren't the team in a must-win situation and needing to press the issue. Still, Costa Rica were clinical when they needed to be, and got the better of the TT defence three times through dead-ball situations. 

Trinidad and Tobago under-20 men's football team line up for their Concacaf qualifier against Costa Rica in Alajuela, on March 4. Photo courtesy TTFA 

After a needless foul outside the area from TT playmaker Dominic Joseph, Costa Rica's lanky forward Dax Palmer drilled a left-footer into the bottom corner in the 21st minute after Yamil Leal worked a short free kick to him. At the other end, TT struggled to pass through the press of the young "Los Ticos" team, and instead opted for long diagonal punts from centre backs Jeremy Meloney and Adam Pierre. The long ball tactic scarcely worked in TT's favour, with Costa Rica's captain, the 6'7" Matias Cordero, having a relatively comfortable day leading his troops from the back. 

With little momentum in their attacking play, Gordon would have been expected to turn to his bench much sooner than he did. TT's first change came in the 62nd minute, as Chaz Williams came in for Joseph, with striker Josiah Kallicharan entering the game for Phillip Nelson in the 69th minute. Kallicharan's first involvement saw him linking up with captain Derrel Garcia, who shot into the side-netting from a tight angle. 

TT's task became near-impossible in the 73rd minute, as striker David Garro sent a beautiful volley past goalkeeper Bryan Gafiuk after connecting with a right-side corner. Desperate to influence the game higher up the field, Pierre was found out of position as a TT play broke down. As he retreated towards his penalty area, Pierre was deemed to have fouled Gabriel Sibaja, with Yerlan Sosa making no mistake from the spot as his 81st-minute penalty assured Los Ticos all three points. 

Gordon may point to the heart and grit of his players, but it's another disappointing end to a qualifying campaign for one of TT's national youth teams. 

TT's starting line-up and formation for their Concacaf Under-20 Men's qualifier versus Costa Rica on March 4. 

Trinidad and Tobago women aim to peak in Honduras

Head coach Damian Briggs is hoping the Trinidad and Tobago women's football team can peak at the right time when they take on Honduras in their Concacaf W Qualifier in Tegucigalpa from 9 pm (TT time) on March 4. 

This is TT's second game in group F of the qualifiers, as they hammered Barbados 5-0 in Kensington in December. Also in December, Honduras fell to a 3-0 loss to group leaders El Salvador. On March 1, El Salvador made their intentions crystal clear when they drubbed Barbados 13-0 to move to the group summit on six points. On April 18, TT will host El Salvador, but before that, the girls from the land of soca and steelpan must deal with the challenge of Honduras on the road. 

"We're not trying to peak too early – we want to peak at the right time."

TT women's football team lineup for kickoff against Barbados in a Concacaf W Qualifier. Photos courtesy TTFA 

Late last month, the TT team had a six-day training camp in Panama, and Briggs believes that camp and the time spent in Honduras thus far have put the squad in a good space ahead of tonight's matchup. 

"We feel like we're on track for what we want to achieve. We're getting accustomed to the conditions, the weather, and the climate," Briggs told TT Football Association (TTFA) Media. 

"We're getting accustomed to the culture as well...the preparations have gone well. The players are quite positive. They have taken the messaging on board and what we want to do and how we want to play. It's all going quite well so far." 

Briggs said the senior players in the 23-player squad have been taking the younger players under their wings, and he's eager to see them put that to good effect on the field of play. 

"At this moment, we think we're on track for where we want to be. We're not trying to peak too early – we want to peak at the right time," Briggs said.

TT women's football team coach Damian Briggs and star attacker Alexcia Ali. 

"Now, being here in Honduras again, with some of the work we've done. We hope, with everything we have done so far, that everything comes together on the evening of March 4. We hope it could culminate in the result we want to get." 

The TT squad features senior players such as Kennya Cordner, Liana Hinds, and the French-based Kedie Johnson, as well as young starlets Alexcia Ali, Kaitlyn Darwent, goalkeeper Simone Eligon and 2025 Women's Player of the Year Nikita Gosine. 

"The mood in itself is buzzing. It's an exciting time and a time where all the players believe in what we've come here to do and they believe we can get the desired result." 

Only the group winner will advance to the eight-team Concacaf W Championship in November, heightening the importance of TT's clash with Honduras. The W Championship will serve as the region's qualifier for next year's Fifa Women's World Cup. Four teams will progress automatically to the World Cup, with two other teams moving on to an intercontinental playoff. The top two teams at the W Championship will also progress to the LA 2028 Olympics. 

TT women's team for Honduras match: 

Goalkeepers: Malaika Dedier, Simone Eligon, Akyla Walcott.  

Defenders: Kaitlyn Darwent, Kedie Johnson, Javanah Moreno, Emma Schneider, Myla Schneider, Victoria Swift, Christa Waterman, Cicely Spencer Wickham.  

Midfielders: Arianna Borneo, Ty'Kaiya Dennis, Elise Franco, Natalia Gosine, Nikita Gosine, Liana Hinds, Chrissy Mitchell, Lorall Romain. 

Forwards: Alexcia Ali, Kennya Cordner, Aaliyah Prince, Gabrielle Williams. 

Costa Rica, Trinidad and Tobago all square for mega U-20 showdown

Costa Rica and Trinidad and Tobago's men's under-20 football teams will go head-to-head for a place in the Concacaf Men's Under-20 Championship when they meet from 4 pm (TT time) in Alajuela on March 4. 

On March 2, the teams had contrasting results: TT spanked table-dwellers Sint Maarten 4-0, while Costa Rica played to an enthralling 3-3 draw with feisty Bermuda. The day's results mean that both Costa Rica and TT head group E with seven points apiece, with the former team leading the group with a +15 goal differential. TT have a +8 goal differential. Bermuda (five points) are third in the group, but came ever so close to edging "Los Ticos" in their six-goal thriller at the Costa Rican Federation Field. 

Having already missed a penalty in the contest, Bermuda took a surprise 2-1 lead over Costa Rica when Xahvi Deroza notched his second goal of the game on the hour mark. The Costa Ricans got on level terms in the 71st minute, only for Bermuda to dramatically retake the lead in the 77th minute through a wonderful free kick from striker Jace Donawa, who also netted in his team's 2-2 draw with TT on February 24. 

Trinidad and Tobago men's under-20 midfielder Josiah Ochoa (C) tries to take the ball off his Bajan counterpart in a Concacaf qualifier in Costa Rica on February 26. Photo courtesy TTFA

The late drama wasn't done there, as Bermuda goalie Daniel Powell needlessly gave up a penalty in the 80th minute when he tried to dribble his way out of trouble in the area. Powell did make amends, though, diving to his left to save a right-footed penalty from David Garro. Still, there was no end to the chaos in the Bermuda area, as Andres Morera tapped in from close range from the subsequent corner after a Dax Palmer header rebounded off the bar. 

Powell was unable to carry on as he was labouring with a leg injury, and his replacement, David Martin, came up big in the dying moments when he saved a close-range shot from Garro in the fifth minute of stoppage-time. 

The 3-3 draw between Bermuda and Costa Rica now gives coach Marvin Gordon and his TT team a clear mandate for their meeting in a couple of days: defeat Los Ticos and advance to the Concacaf Under-20 Championships, which will be played from July-August. A draw will likely see Costa Rica moving on to the championships, as Bermuda would need to beat Barbados by 13 goals in their March 4 clash to leapfrog Costa Rica and TT and top the group. 

Screengrab of the Concacaf Men's Under-20 qualifying group, which features TT. 

In the first game of the double-header, TT breezed to three points against Sint Maarten, as goals from Giovanni Hospedales, Dominic Joseph, Josiah Kallicharan and Chaz Williams gave them a facile win. It was Joseph's third goal in as many games, with Swansea Youth Academy's Kallicharan scoring for the second straight game. 

A third straight win will see TT dancing into the final round.