Bon Voyage Benna Boyz

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Antigua News

Saturday, 26 May 2012 02:30

By Ian Magic Hughes

Antigua St John's - The Antigua & Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) held a short send-off ceremony on Friday at the VC Bird International Airport for the Benna Boy, who left for the US.

Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer encouraged the team, scheduled to take on the United States in the semis of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers on June 8 in Tampa, Florida.

Also on hand were former national team player Pin Hewlett, and Mervyn “MR” Richards, another former player, coach, and president of the ABFA.

“I will be glued to my television,” said Hewlett. “I am confident that you will win, and I wish you all the best when you take the field.”
Richards likened the Benna Boyz to David, who slew the giant Goliath.

“I want you to gather your sling and stones as you get ready to do battle against the mighty United States,” he told the team.

“I too am confident that you will make Antigua & Barbuda proud on that day when you play against the US. Like Sir Vivian Richards and Curtly Ambrose, when they played West Indies cricket they came from this same small place, Antigua, yet they showed the world that they were as good or better than the rest.

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“Go,” said the former president and player, "and make us all proud."

The team boarded an American Airlines flight to Florida, where they will camp in Sarasota at the IMG training facility for two weeks before the FIFA game at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.

There were 18 locally-based players, along with 10 officials, including two sports scientists, aboard the flight.

Seven English-based footballers will join the team in Sarasota to take part in the preparations of the historic match.

During the two-week training session, the team is expected to play at least two scrimmage matches before the big game against the US.

After battling the United States, the Benna Boyz will return for their first home game four days later against the Reggae Boyz of Jamaica at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

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