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Antigua and Barbuda national football team

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Antigua and Barbuda
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)The Benna Boys
AssociationAntigua and Barbuda Football Association
ConfederationCONCACAF (North America)
Sub-confederationCaribbean Football Union (Caribbean)
Head coachMikele Leigertwood
CaptainQuinton Griffith
Most capsPeter Byers (91)
Top scorerPeter Byers (44)
Home stadiumAntigua Recreation Ground
Sir Vivian Richards Stadium
FIFA codeATG
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 160 Decrease 4 (28 November 2024)[1]
Highest70 (October 2014)
Lowest170 (December 2003 – January 2004)
First international
 Trinidad and Tobago 11–1 Antigua and Barbuda 
(Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago; 10 November 1972)
Biggest win
 Antigua and Barbuda 10–0 U.S. Virgin Islands 
(North Sound, Antigua & Barbuda; 11 October 2011)
Biggest defeat
 Trinidad and Tobago 11–1 Antigua and Barbuda 
(Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago; 10 November 1972)
CFU Championship/Caribbean Cup
Appearances11 (first in 1978)
Best resultCFU Championship: Runners-up
(1988)
Caribbean Cup: Group stage
(2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)

The Antigua and Barbuda national football team is the national team of Antigua and Barbuda.

Founded in 1928,[3] it is controlled by the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association, a member of the CONCACAF and the Caribbean Football Union (CFU). The team has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup or the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

History

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First international match

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On November 10, 1972, Antigua and Barbuda's first match was a 1974 FIFA World Cup qualifying match versus Trinidad and Tobago in Port of Spain. The match was a 11–1 thrashing which to this day is this national team's worst defeat.

Friendlies against European teams

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On 17 December 2005, the Antigua and Barbuda national team played their first match against a European opponent after the Hungarian Football Federation invited "the Benna Boys" to play Hungary in an international friendly at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This was the first match coached by former national striker Derrick Edwards. Hungary defeated Antigua and Barbuda 3–0.[4]

On 2 May 2016, the Estonian Football Association announced that their national team would play Antigua and Barbuda in an international friendly on 22 November. It was the team's second match against a European opponent. Estonia won the game 1–0.[5]

2018 drug bust in Jamaica

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During the March 2018 FIFA Calendar Antigua and Barbuda played Jamaica, drawing 1–1 away at Sabina Park, levelling in the last seconds of match from a header from Peter Byers. Upon the team's preparation for their departure back to Antigua, assistant coach Derrick Edwards and equipment manager Danny Benjamin were arrested and charged with possession of, dealing in, and taking steps to export marijuana, and conspiracy at the Norman Manley International Airport. Initially, Edwards was awarded bail and Benjamin was held without bail; after a month, both Edwards and Benjamin were placed under house arrest and curfew and gave up their travel documents.[6] Both men were acquitted of the crime on 14 June, citing there was not enough evidence to prove their involvement in the carrying the drugs with the intention of smuggling them out of Jamaica.[citation needed]

Team image

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Nicknames

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The official nickname of the Antigua and Barbuda national football team is "the Benna Boys", referring to a genre of Antiguan and Barbudan music similar to calypso. The name was selected in a contest with the fanbase in 2012 after the team advanced to the third round of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers. "The Benna Boys" beat out other entries in the contest such as "Beach Boys", "Iron Bandits", "Rhythm Warriors" and "Party Crashers".[7] In the past, the national team was unofficially known as "the Wadadli Boys", another name that was in the contest but did not win.[8]

Kit suppliers

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The kit of the national team has been manufactured by Spanish-based Joma since March 2021, ahead of the first round of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.[citation needed]

Kit manufacturer Time period
Admiral 1995–1999
Virma [it] 2000–2003
Adidas 2006–2011
Peak 2012–2016
Admiral 2016–2020
Joma 2021–present

Results and fixtures

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The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2024

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5 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Antigua and Barbuda  1–1  Bermuda Piggotts, Antigua and Barbuda
15:00 UTC−4
Report (FIFA)
Report (CONCACAF)
Stadium: ABFA Technical Centre
Attendance: 404
Referee: Adonis Carrasco (Dominican Republic)
16 November 2024-25 CONCACAF Nations League B Bermuda  v  Antigua and Barbuda Dominican Republic
Stadium: TBD
19 November 2024-25 CONCACAF Nations League B Antigua and Barbuda  v  Dominica Dominican Republic
Stadium: TBD

2025

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Coaching staff

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Current coaching staff

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Name Position
Antigua and Barbuda Mikele Leigertwood Head coach
Antigua and Barbuda Neil Schyan Jeffers Assistant coach
Antigua and Barbuda Lenny Hewlett Assistant coach
Antigua and Barbuda Janiel Simon Goalkeeper coach
Antigua and Barbuda Evans Jones Trainer
Antigua and Barbuda Horatio Morrison Physiotherapist
Antigua and Barbuda Malcolm Challenger Equipment manager

Manager history

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Polish manager Piotr Nowak was at the helm of Antigua and Barbuda when they achieved their highest FIFA ranking (70) in October 2014.

The following is a list of head coaches of the Antigua and Barbuda national team throughout the years.[citation needed]

Name Period Matches Wins Draws Losses Notes
West Germany Rudi Gutendorf 1976
Serbia and Montenegro Zoran Vraneš 1998–2000 Fourth place at the 1998 Caribbean Cup
Brazil Walter Gama 2001–2002
Antigua and Barbuda Rolston Williams 2004
Antigua and Barbuda Derrick Edwards 2005–2008
Scotland Willie Donachie 2008 16 8 3 5
Antigua and Barbuda Rowan Benjamin 2008–2011 11 4 3 4
England Tom Curtis 2011–2012 21 8 3 10 Semifinal round of the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers
Antigua and Barbuda Rolston Williams 2012–2014 6 4 0 2
Poland Piotr Nowak 2014–2015 12 5 2 5 Highest FIFA Ranking (70) under his tenure
Antigua and Barbuda Rolston Williams 2015–2018 8 3 0 5
Antigua and Barbuda Derrick Edwards 2018–2019 6 2 1 3
Democratic Republic of the Congo Michél Dinzey 2019–2020 10 4 0 6
Antigua and Barbuda Mikele Leigertwood 2021– 9 5 1 3

Players

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Current squad

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The following players were called up for the 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League B matches against Dominican Republic on 12 and 15 October 2024.[9]

Caps and goals are correct as of 15 October 2024, after the match against  Dominican Republic.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Nick Townsend (1994-11-01) 1 November 1994 (age 30) 11 0 Wales Newport County
1GK Zaieem Scott (2004-07-10) 10 July 2004 (age 20) 8 0 Antigua and Barbuda Green City
1GK Jayden Martin (2002-11-07) 7 November 2002 (age 22) 1 0 Antigua and Barbuda All Saints United

2DF Daniel Bowry (1998-04-29) 29 April 1998 (age 26) 23 1 England St Albans City
2DF Kieron Richards (1995-06-29) 29 June 1995 (age 29) 13 0 Antigua and Barbuda Grenades
2DF Tyrique Tonge (2001-03-14) 14 March 2001 (age 23) 13 0 Antigua and Barbuda SAP
2DF Zafique Drew (2003-08-30) 30 August 2003 (age 21) 9 0 Antigua and Barbuda All Saints United
2DF Antonio Morgan (2006-03-29) 29 March 2006 (age 18) 4 0 England Bromley U21
2DF Jahzinho O'Garro (2002-12-12) 12 December 2002 (age 21) 2 0 United States Oakland County FC
2DF Zaire Scott (2003-05-31) 31 May 2003 (age 21) 1 0 Antigua and Barbuda Grenades

3MF Quinton Griffith (captain) (1992-02-27) 27 February 1992 (age 32) 85 10 Antigua and Barbuda Grenades
3MF Kendukar Challenger (1998-01-24) 24 January 1998 (age 26) 21 0 Antigua and Barbuda All Saints United
3MF Dion Pereira (1999-03-25) 25 March 1999 (age 25) 7 1 England Dagenham & Redbridge
3MF Tyrik Hughes (2005-07-13) 13 July 2005 (age 19) 5 0 Antigua and Barbuda Aston Villa
3MF Daryl Massicot (2005-02-12) 12 February 2005 (age 19) 4 0 Antigua and Barbuda Grenades
3MF Sean Tomlinson (2004-03-25) 25 March 2004 (age 20) 2 0 Antigua and Barbuda Grenades
3MF Zahiem Green (2003-08-15) 15 August 2003 (age 21) 1 0 Antigua and Barbuda Empire FC

4FW Javorn Stevens (1998-05-09) 9 May 1998 (age 26) 34 4 Antigua and Barbuda Hoppers
4FW D'Andre Bishop (2002-10-02) 2 October 2002 (age 22) 25 3 Antigua and Barbuda All Saints United
4FW Eugine Kirwan (1993-01-01) 1 January 1993 (age 31) 23 1 Antigua and Barbuda Grenades
4FW Raheem Deterville (1999-12-01) 1 December 1999 (age 25) 18 2 Antigua and Barbuda Old Road
4FW Shafeeq Joseph (2001-05-24) 24 May 2001 (age 23) 2 0 Antigua and Barbuda Pigotts Bullets

Recent call-ups

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The following players have also been called up to the Antigua and Barbuda squad within the last twelve months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Shahoi Dorsett (2004-06-23) 23 June 2004 (age 20) 0 0 Antigua and Barbuda Aston Villa v.  Bermuda; 10 September 2024
GK Brent Parker (1990-08-16) 16 August 1990 (age 34) 2 0 Antigua and Barbuda Swetes v.  Guyana; 21 November 2023

DF Vashami Allen (1997-05-09) 9 May 1997 (age 27) 14 0 Antigua and Barbuda Grenades v.  Bermuda; 10 September 2024
DF Cardel Roberts (2001-05-04) 4 May 2001 (age 23) 7 0 Antigua and Barbuda Aston Villa v.  Bermuda; 10 September 2024
DF Shavorn Phillip (1996-09-09) 9 September 1996 (age 28) 21 1 Antigua and Barbuda Old Road v.  Cayman Islands; 8 June 2024
DF Roneba Cordice (2005-11-25) 25 November 2005 (age 19) 2 0 Antigua and Barbuda All Saints United v.  Cayman Islands; 8 June 2024
DF Aaron Taylor-Sinclair (1991-04-08) 8 April 1991 (age 33) 13 0 Scotland Airdrieonians v.  Guyana; 21 November 2023
DF Zaine Francis-Angol (1993-06-30) 30 June 1993 (age 31) 28 0 England Buxton v.  Bahamas; 17 October 2023

MF Kwame Kirby (1998-11-17) 17 November 1998 (age 26) 6 0 Antigua and Barbuda Aston Villa v.  Bermuda; 10 September 2024
MF TJ Bramble (2001-05-09) 9 May 2001 (age 23) 17 2 England Welling United v.  Cayman Islands; 8 June 2024
MF Ashley Nathaniel-George (1995-06-14) 14 June 1995 (age 29) 11 1 England Maidenhead United v.  Guyana; 21 November 2023

FW Keon Greene (2000-07-27) 27 July 2000 (age 24) 3 0 Antigua and Barbuda Potters FC v.  Bermuda; 10 September 2024
FW Eroy Gonsalves (2006-09-18) 18 September 2006 (age 18) 1 0 Antigua and Barbuda Aston Villa v.  Bermuda; 10 September 2024
FW Josh Parker (1990-12-01) 1 December 1990 (age 34) 44 6 England Oxford City v.  Cayman Islands; 8 June 2024
FW Jalmaro Calvin (2003-06-30) 30 June 2003 (age 21) 1 0 Jamaica Cavalier v.  Cayman Islands; 8 June 2024
FW Dayonn Harris (1997-08-29) 29 August 1997 (age 27) 1 0 United States New Mexico United v.  Cayman Islands; 8 June 2024
FW Shalon Knight (2000-03-04) 4 March 2000 (age 24) 6 0 Antigua and Barbuda Swetes v.  Guyana; 21 November 2023
FW Carl Osbourne (1992-12-16) 16 December 1992 (age 31) 6 1 Antigua and Barbuda Grenades v.  Bahamas; 17 October 2023

Player records

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As of 19 November 2024[10]
Players in bold are still active with Antigua and Barbuda.
Peter Byers is Antigua and Barbuda's top goalscorer and most-capped player.

Most appearances

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Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Peter Byers 91 44 2004–2021
2 Quinton Griffith 87 10 2009–present
3 George Dublin 67 4 2000–2012
4 Tamorley Thomas 64 12 2002–2021
5 Karanja Mack 58 0 2006–present
6 Ranjae Christian 54 5 1998–2012
7 Randolph Burton 52 15 2008–2016
Akeem Thomas 52 2 2008–2018
9 Gayson Gregory 49 8 2000–2014
Molvin James 49 0 2007–2021

Top goalscorers

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Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Peter Byers 44 91 0.48 2004–2021
2 Derrick Edwards 18 22 0.82 1988–2000
3 Randolph Burton 15 52 0.29 2008–2016
4 Tamorley Thomas 12 64 0.19 2002–2021
5 Jamie Thomas 10 31 0.32 2006–2011
Quinton Griffith 10 87 0.11 2009–present
7 Myles Weston 9 16 0.56 2014–present
8 Garfield Gonsalves 8 29 0.28 1992–2008
Kerry Skepple 8 34 0.24 2002–2012
Gayson Gregory 8 49 0.16 2000–2014

Competitive record

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FIFA World Cup

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FIFA World Cup Qualification
Year Result Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad Pld W D L GF GA
1930 to 1970 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
West Germany 1974 Did not qualify 4 0 0 4 3 22
Argentina 1978 Did not enter Did not enter
Spain 1982
Mexico 1986 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 2 5
Italy 1990 2 0 0 2 1 4
United States 1994 4 1 1 2 5 6
France 1998 2 0 1 1 4 6
South Korea Japan 2002 6 1 2 3 4 15
Germany 2006 2 1 0 1 2 3
South Africa 2010 4 2 0 2 7 8
Brazil 2014 12 5 1 6 32 18
Russia 2018 4 2 0 2 6 6
Qatar 2022 4 2 1 1 6 5
Canada Mexico United States 2026 To be determined 2 0 1 1 1 2
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030 To be determined
Saudi Arabia 2034
Total 0/13 48 15 7 26 73 100

CONCACAF Gold Cup

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CONCACAF Championship & Gold Cup record Qualification record
Year Result Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad Pld W D L GF GA
El Salvador 1963 Part of  United Kingdom Part of  United Kingdom
Guatemala 1965
Honduras 1967
Costa Rica 1969
Trinidad and Tobago 1971
Haiti 1973 Did not qualify 4 0 0 4 3 22
Mexico 1977 Did not enter Did not enter
Honduras 1981
1985 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 2 5
1989 2 1 1 0 1 4
United States 1991 Did not enter Did not enter
Mexico United States 1993 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 1 1
United States 1996 3 1 2 2 6 11
United States 1998 2 0 0 2 1 5
United States 2000 11 4 2 5 24 17
United States 2002 3 0 1 2 4 5
Mexico United States 2003 5 0 1 4 1 8
United States 2005 3 1 0 2 6 8
United States 2007 6 2 0 4 8 17
United States 2009 9 4 3 2 19 16
United States 2011 6 2 2 2 4 5
United States 2013 3 1 0 2 3 3
Canada United States 2015 9 4 2 3 14 11
United States 2017 6 3 0 3 10 8
Costa Rica Jamaica United States 2019 4 2 0 2 10 8
United States 2021 6 3 0 3 8 17
Canada United States 2023 7 3 0 4 5 12
Total 0/22 93 33 14 46 130 183

CONCACAF Nations League

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CONCACAF Nations League record
League Finals
Season Division Group Pld W D* L GF GA P/R Finals Results Pld W D L GF GA Squad
2019−20 B C 6 3 0 3 8 17 Same position United States 2021 Ineligible
2022–23 B A 6 3 0 3 5 7 Same position United States 2023
2023–24 B D 6 1 1 4 9 22 Same position United States 2024
2024–25 B D 6 0 1 5 2 15 Fall United States 2025
2026–27 C To be determined United States 2027
Total 24 7 2 15 24 61 Total 0 Titles

CFU Caribbean Cup

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CFU Championship & Caribbean Cup record Qualification record
Year Result Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad Pld W D L GF GA
Trinidad and Tobago 1978 Fourth place 4th 5 1 1 3 4 8 Squad 2 1 1 0 3 0
Suriname 1979 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 0 2
Puerto Rico 1981 Did not enter Did not enter
French Guiana 1983 Fourth place 4th 7 2 2 3 11 10 Squad 4 2 2 0 10 5
Barbados 1985 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 2 2
Martinique 1988 Runners-up 2nd 5 1 4 0 5 4 Squad 2 1 1 0 2 1
Barbados 1989 Did not qualify 4 3 0 1 4 2
Trinidad and Tobago 1990 3 0 1 2 2 5
Jamaica 1991 Did not enter Did not enter
Trinidad and Tobago 1992 Group stage 7th 3 0 1 2 2 12 Squad 3 3 0 0 8 0
Jamaica 1993 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 1 1
Trinidad and Tobago 1994 2 1 0 1 10 3
Cayman Islands Jamaica 1995 Group stage 7th 3 1 0 2 3 8 Squad 2 0 2 0 3 3
Trinidad and Tobago 1996 Withdrew Withdrew
Antigua and Barbuda Saint Kitts and Nevis 1997 Group stage 6th 2 0 0 2 1 5 Squad Qualified as hosts
Jamaica Trinidad and Tobago 1998 Fourth place 4th 5 2 0 3 11 9 Squad 3 2 1 0 11 3
Trinidad and Tobago 1999 Did not qualify 3 0 1 2 2 5
Trinidad and Tobago 2001 3 0 1 2 4 5
Barbados 2005 3 1 0 2 6 8
Trinidad and Tobago 2007 6 2 0 4 8 17
Jamaica 2008 Group stage 7th 3 0 2 1 3 6 Squad 6 4 1 1 16 10
Martinique 2010 Group stage 5th 3 1 0 2 2 4 Squad 3 1 2 0 2 1
Antigua and Barbuda 2012 Group stage 8th 3 1 0 2 3 3 Squad Qualified as hosts
Jamaica 2014 Group stage 7th 3 0 1 2 2 7 Squad 6 4 1 1 12 4
Martinique 2017 Did not qualify 6 3 0 3 10 8
Total Runners-up 11/25 42 9 11 22 47 76 67 30 14 23 116 85
***Red border color indicates that Antigua and Barbuda was the host nation.

Head-to-head record

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The following table shows Antigua and Barbuda's all-time official international record per opponent:[11]

Key

  Winning record   Equal record   Losing record

Opponent Pld W D L GF GA
 Anguilla 5 5 0 0 28 3
 Aruba 5 5 0 0 11 4
 Bahamas 3 2 1 0 12 3
 Barbados 8 1 1 6 9 16
 Bermuda 14 3 5 6 14 18
 British Virgin Islands 8 4 2 2 14 10
 Cayman Islands 3 0 1 2 1 4
 Cuba 7 0 1 6 4 18
 Curaçao 4 3 0 1 10 6
 Dominica 16 8 4 4 28 20
 Dominican Republic 8 1 2 5 8 21
 El Salvador 1 0 0 1 0 3
 Estonia 1 0 0 1 0 1
 French Guiana 1 1 0 0 2 1
 Grenada 6 3 3 0 13 7
 Guadeloupe 7 2 1 4 4 12
 Guatemala 8 1 0 7 3 31
 Guyana 14 5 3 6 16 33
 Haiti 12 2 3 7 11 19
 Honduras 1 0 0 1 0 1
 Hungary 1 0 0 1 0 3
 Jamaica 12 1 2 9 5 29
 Martinique 4 1 0 3 6 12
 Mexico 1 0 0 1 0 8
 Montserrat 4 3 1 0 20 6
 Puerto Rico 4 1 0 3 5 10
 Saint Kitts and Nevis 23 9 5 9 30 31
 Saint Lucia 14 5 3 6 23 18
 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 13 7 2 4 17 20
 Sint Maarten 3 2 0 1 7 2
 Suriname 6 1 2 3 4 15
 Trinidad and Tobago 13 2 0 11 12 41
 U.S. Virgin Islands 5 5 0 0 26 1
 United States 2 0 0 2 2 5
Total 235 83 41 111 341 421

Honours

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Regional

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References

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  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 28 November 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  2. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 8 December 2024. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
  3. ^ "ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA". Concacaf. 7 March 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  4. ^ "Caribbean Net News: Hungary beat Antigua-Barbuda in exhibition match". caribbeannewsnow.com. Archived from the original on 17 April 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  5. ^ "Eesti Jalgpalli Liit". jalgpall.ee. Archived from the original on 4 June 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  6. ^ Helps, HG (1 April 2018). "A coach's ganja plan". Jamaica Observer. Archived from the original on 2 April 2018. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  7. ^ "Text to 774 – 3307 your choice for the name the team contest". Archived from the original on 28 May 2016. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  8. ^ "Football (Soccer) Team Nicknames". www.topendsports.com. Archived from the original on 28 July 2017. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  9. ^ "Final Squad". Facebook. ABFA - Antigua And Barbuda Football Association.
  10. ^ "Antigua and Barbuda". National Football Teams.
  11. ^ "Antigua And Barbuda national football team statistics and records: All-time record". 11v11.com. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
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