‘Sugar Boyz’ defeat Andorra in historic European win

The senior St. Kitts and Nevis National Football Team pulled off a historic win on November 12, 2015, when they played against a European team for the first time and beat them on their own soil.

President Anthony Johnson of the St. Kitts and Nevis Football Association (SKNFA) is quite pleased about the news and commented, “It’s an excellent achievement for our senior national men’s team and for the country. I understand that it is the first time a team from the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) has gone to Europe and played a European team and defeated them on their home soil. That, in itself, is historic… We want to congratulate our team, and we look forward now to the next game against Estonia.”

But he said that the international playing exposure for the team is most important, as it was a significant reason for sending the team to Europe. He said, “It is important for the development of our players and for the football in general.”

Referring to the exposure the federation obtained on playing Andorra, President Johnson said. “It was tremendous. Tremendous! Even before the game, the coverage received regionally and internationally, as a result of playing against the two European countries, has been significant. Subsequent to the game last evening, we have received congratulations from persons across the world.”

He continued, “It is indicative of the fact that this game would have been exposed to quite a large viewership throughout the entire FIFA membership. For us, we hope it will result in more professional opportunities for our players, because that is also a significant part of what we are trying to achieve at the St. Kitts and Nevis Football Association.”

An email from CFU President Gordon Derrick, simply said, “Phenomenal! Congrats President Johnson!”

Social media was abuzz on the 1-0 victory for the Sugar Boyz against the Andorra football team in Andorra on 12th November. A tweet from CFU President Gordon Derrick stated, “With their win over Andorra, St. Kitts and Nevis became the first CFU team to beat a European team since 2006 when Trinidad and Tobago beat Iceland 2-nil.

A congratulatory tweet from the President Cheney Joseph of the Grenada Football Association stated, “From Grenada to St. Kitts and Nevis, we say great on being the first CFU team to beat a European team on their own national soil. History made, and we are so proud of this major victory.”

And from Jerome Champagne, a FIFA presidential candidate, came these words, “Good evening Mr. President, dear Anthony. Just a quick email to congratulate you, the SKNFA, the players and the whole staff for the 1-0 win over Andorra. This is a really good result. How many players were locally playing in St Kitts? How many are playing in Europe or in the US? Please send me some details. With my best regards, Jerome.”

The team line-up was as follows:

Romaine Sawyers
Lois Maynard
Julani Archibald
Orlando Mitchum
Thrizen Leader
Atiba Harris
Gerrard Williams
Jason St.Juste
Zephaniah Thomas
Harrison Panayiotou
Devaughn Elliott

Also on tour are:

Tishan Hanley
Ordell Flemming
Jamal Francis
Jameel Ible
Matthew Walwyn