FORT-DE-FRANCE, Martinique (CMC) – Hosts Martinique are eyeing an upset when the Digicel Caribbean Cup kicks off here tomorrow.
Already, defending champions Jamaica and traditional powerhouses Trinidad and Tobago have been installed as favourites, but the French side believe they have a chance of sneaking into the December 5 championship game at the Pierre Aliker Stadium. Martinique will do battle in Group H where they will face T&T, Cuba and Grenada while Jamaica, Guadeloupe, Antigua and Barbuda, and Guyana comprise Group I.
“The team has been training for the past two weeks or so with preparations intensifying over the weekend,” said head coach Guy-Michel Nisas.
“Although the Group H matches will be our first competitive matches in the Digicel Caribbean Cup, the team played in the La Coupe de l’Outre-Mer de football in Paris recently.
“La Coupe de l’Outre-Mer is a biennial football competition for the national football teams of French Overseas Territories – and former territories. This year the Martinique team won – beating former champions, Réunion, in the final.
“This has given them international, competitive experience – and, as winners, they are more confident going into the DCC.”
As hosts, Martinique were not required to qualify but will now face tough competition in order to finish in the top two of their group and reach the semi-finals.
They open their campaign against Grenada tomorrow, clash with Cuba on Sunday before rounding off a tough series of matches against T&T next Tuesday.
Nisas said he was pleased with the preparation and believed the French side were now confident and ready for their campaign.
“Over the last few weeks, the team has played – and won – five friendly matches against local teams here in Martinique,” he said.
“The boys were tired after the tournament in Paris so they needed some time to recuperate before they went into more serious training. However, now they are ready and fit again and, as I said, feeling confident from their win in France.”
He added: “Group H will be difficult. Cuba, Grenada and Trinidad & Tobago are all strong sides and each present their individual challenges, but we have prepared and we are going to go out there and do our best.”