by ANMAR GOODRIDGE-BOYCE
POREY SPRING UNITED STRIKER Shaquille Stewart has been recalled to the Barbados national football team for the first time since 2015 ahead of the Windward Islands Football Association (WIFA) tournament in St Vincent and the Grenadines.
The 24-year-old Stewart has bagged nine goals so far in the Barbados Football Association (BFA) Premier League and has been rewarded for his threat in front of goal. He will replace Notre Dames’ Zeco Edmee, who has been left out of Ahmed Mohamed’s 18-man squad for the competition that starts on February 28.
Speaking after a training session at the Wildey Turf on Thursday night, Stewart told NATIONSPORT he was grateful to be back in national colours and will be looking to grab his first goal for the island.
“I’m happy to receive the call-up and I’m looking to perform to the best of my ability. Of course I will be looking to get my first goal for Barbados. I have been working hard because Porey Spring are the strongest team, so it is a fight, so to actually be here again is good,” the in-form striker said.
Also returning to the national side will be captain Rashad Jules, who missed Barbados’ 3-0 victory in the Concacaf Nations League qualifier match against United States Virgin Islands (USVI) last year due to a groin injury.
Jules, an attacking midfielder for the Barbados Defence Force Sports Programme, has netted ten times this season and sits second in the league’s top goal scorers, one goal behind Ellerton’s Shakille Belle.
“I feel good to be back, not only with the team but playing football in general. Nothing will change for me. It is always going to be hard work. I give a lot for my club and I plan to do the same for my country. I am taking the goals as they come. I have been training a lot,” he said.
Full squad: Goalkeepers: Keaseal Broome Jr, Kishmar Primus; defenders: Ricardio Morris, Rashad Smith, Ramon Manning, Shane Codrington, Ramar Millar; midfielders: Mario Williams, Jomo Harris, Hadan Holligan, Ackeel Applewhaite, Akeem Hill, Raheim Sargeant, Rashad Jules; forwards: Shakille Belle, Mario Harte, Armando Lashley, Shaquille Stewart.
SHAQUILLE STEWART has been called up to the Barbados senior national football side for the first time
in four years. (Picture courtesy BFA)
