The Gold Cup is the biggest competition organized by the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Football (CONCACAF) since 1963. Haiti’s one and only title in this tournament dates back to 1973, with the great generation of Emmanuel Sanon, Philippe Vorbe, Roger St-Vil, Jean Claude Désir, Pierre Bayonne etc. Will this period of disquiet come to an end after 48 years?
Indeed, from a sporting point of view, 2021 is considered a special year because of the long-standing and unusual things that have taken place, such as Italy’s coronation at the European Nations Cup after 53 years, or the Albiceleste’s coronation at the Americas Cup after 28 years. The NBA is no exception, with the Milwaukee Bucks taking on the Phoenix Suns in an unexpected final. Also in 2021, Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic equalled the magic duo of Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer in the number of Grand Slam tournaments won, with a whopping twenty titles.
In 1973, with the participation of six national teams, including Haiti, the host country, for a fifteen-match competition in the capital of Port-au-Prince, the Grenadiers emerged victorious from this sixth edition and qualified for the 1974 World Cup in Germany. Less than half a century on, the quest for a new cup continues.
We have not been spared the threat of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has affected nine players in the squad: Duckens Nazon, Frandy Pierrot, Bryan Alceus, Jems Geffrard, Roberto Badio Louima, Zachary Heriveaux, Josué Duverger, Isaac Rhau Simon, Don Deedson.
We also kick off the competition with a narrow defeat by the hosts, the United States of America. Although the task becomes more difficult, we can count on the talent of Derrick Étienne, Stéphane Lambèse, Ricardo Adé, Kevin Lafrance, Carnegie and Bissainthe, to name but a few. These names can make the bicolour fly in the sky of the starry Republic, just as the flag of Italy did in the sky of the English, or that of Argentina in Brazil. They can make us dream by bringing the gold cup to the streets of Port-au-Prince, Les Cayes, Gonaïves, Jacmel, Verrettes, etc., to celebrate the glory of soccer.
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