The Tribune

THE Bahamas Football Association (BFA), with a 12-man team selected from among the top beach soccer players, are slated to be back in the spotlight this weekend when they host the Lucayan Cup Challenge with teams from Mexico and Trinidad & Tobago.

“A unique transformation will take place at Malcolm Park this weekend as the Bahamas men’s national beach Soccer team go into action against CONCACAF champion Mexico and CFU Trinidad and Tobago in the Lucayan Cup Challenge,” said the BFA in a press release. “This is the first step in the team’s preparation for the FIFA 2017 Beach Soccer World Cup hosted by the Bahamas.”

The event is scheduled to be held Friday to Sunday (October 9-11) at the Beach Soccer Facility at Malcolm Park and will be sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism, Heineken, Toyota and Bahamas Waste.

Angelo Schirinzi is the head coach of the team that will be assisted by Stephen Bellot and Juian Smith. “The squad has been in training for several weeks under the direction of assistant coaches Stephen Bellot and Julian Smith,” said the release. “With the recent addition of Swiss international coach Angelo Schirinzi, sessions have intensified to daily tactical training.”

Schirinzi is confident that the team will win both matches in Nassau before going to the Dominican Republic November 26-29 to face current world champion Portugal, Spain, USA, Dominican Republic and Mexico in the Puerto Plata BS Cup 2015.

Named to Team Bahamas are Chris Davis, Daron Beneby, Kyle Williams, Gary Joseph, Dwayne Forbes, Ehren Hanna, Lesly St Fleur, Gavin Christie, Torin Ferguson, Valin Bodie, Alex Thompson, Jean Francois, Keith Miller, Doclin Absolu, Jamie Thompson, Renardo McCallum, Jason Edwards, Cameron Hepple, Nesley Jean, LaShane Dean and Julian Smith.

SCHEDULE OF GAMES

October 9

6:30pm - Bahamas vs Mexico

October 10

4pm - Mexico vs Trinidad and Tobago

October 11

4pm - Bahamas vs Trinidad and Tobago

The BFA has announced that there is a 2,500 seating capacity and is based on availability. Interested persons are urged to contact the BFA’s office at 328-7666.