Fresh off his official introduction as the senior men’s national football team head coach of Saint Lucia, Rajesh Latchoo has announced a carefully curated 25-player roster that balances veteran know-how and emerging young talent for his debut fixture at the helm: a pivotal Concacaf Nations League League B Group B clash against regional rival Barbados. Dubbed the Piton Boyz, Saint Lucia will kick off their 2024/25 Nations League campaign this Friday at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, facing off against Barbados’ Bajan Tridents in what marks the first test of Latchoo’s leadership.
Latchoo was formally appointed to the top job during an official press conference held Tuesday morning at the Saint Lucia Football Association (SLFA) headquarters, where he laid out his dual track vision for the national program: a long-term strategic roadmap built to grow the sport across the island, paired with clear, ambitious short-term targets. For the upcoming Nations League group stage, the new head coach made his priorities unambiguous: secure all 18 available points to claim the top spot in Group B. “18 points is the only way to guarantee we finish first — we don’t want to leave our fate to other results, that is our non-negotiable mission,” Latchoo stated.
Acknowledging the compressed five-day preparation window ahead of Friday’s opening match, Latchoo noted that elite international football often operates on tight timelines, and he expressed full confidence in his squad’s capabilities. “The staff and SLFA are pulling out all stops to get players match ready. Even with the short turnaround, these players have the skill and competitiveness to deliver,” he said. The coach also emphasized that national team success requires collective buy-in across the entire country, calling for widespread public backing ahead of the campaign. “Qualification isn’t just a job for the players, the coaching staff or the FA — it needs the whole nation behind us. If 100% of the country supports this mission, our players can give 100% effort out on the pitch,” he added.
To support his four-year plan leading up to the 2030 FIFA World Cup, Latchoo has assembled a new backroom team, including iconic former Saint Lucia international Earl “Ball Hog” Jean. His long-term strategy centers on assigning clear, specialized roles to players across all age groups, with accountability at every level of the program. “Every milestone between now and 2030 matters, and this Nations League campaign is our very first milestone,” Latchoo explained. “Our squad draws together players from different leagues, backgrounds and skill sets, each of them brings unique strengths to the table. We will hold players accountable daily, just as the SLFA, the fans, and the nation will hold our coaching staff and the entire program accountable.”
The 25-man roster reflects Latchoo’s focus on balancing homegrown talent with players plying their trade overseas. Nearly half the squad — 12 players in total — compete in Saint Lucia’s own Semi-Professional Football League (SPFL), including league top scorers Garvin Reggie of Dennery and Yanic Noel of La Clery, plus 2023/24 Footballer of the Year and La Clery goalkeeper Devone St Prix. Six of the domestic-based players hail from the two-time defending SPFL champions.
Four players currently play in Jamaica’s top flight: goalkeepers Vino Barclett (Montego Bay Utd) and Darren Donaie (Cavalier SC), defender Melvin Doxilly (Montego Bay Utd) and young attacker Shevon Byron (Mount Pleasant FA). Two defenders, Terell Thomas and Arkell Jude Boyd, join the squad from clubs in the United Kingdom, with Boyd plying his trade at Shrewsbury Town FC and Thomas currently unattached. Promising attacker Donavan Phillip earns his call-up from MLS side Colorado Rapids in the United States.
Veteran fullback Kurt Frederick links up from Antigua & Barbuda’s Grenades FC, while midfielder Jason Similien returns to the national fold from Germany’s AC Italia Hilden. Caniggia Elva, a forward, joins from Canadian Premier League side Cavalry FC, and attacker Djal Augustin comes in from Poland’s Warta Srem. Age-wise, the squad leans into Latchoo’s youth-focused long-term vision: only six players are aged 30 or older, just two are teenagers, and the majority of the roster falls in their early 20s, creating a mix of experience and upside that the coaching staff hopes will deliver a strong opening result on Friday.