‘I am so very proud’

WHEN JAMAICA and Trinidad and Tobago face off over the course of two friendlies this week, five players from the Jamaica Premier League’s Montego Bay United will don the national colours, but not all for the same team.

The western Jamaica top-flight club has the enviable position of seeing three of its players turn out for Trinidad and Tobago, with another two putting on the black, green, and gold of Jamaica.

Recently, MBU head coach Rodolfo Zapata had earmarked Shaniel Thomas for great things, saying the player has the quality to play for and contribute meaningfully to the fortunes of Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz.

Last week, Thomas was named as one of the two, and Zapata couldn’t be happier.

“I don’t have too much to say, just that I am so happy and proud. For Thomas, he deserves this opportunity and I have a lot of expectations. He is one of the top goal scorers of the league and he works hard,” said Zapata.

The 24-year-old Thomas is in the race for the Golden Boot this season, notching 10 goals to be in a three-way tie for second with Arnett Garden’s Warner Brown and teammate MBU’s Brian Brown. The three are a goal behind Cavalier’s Jalmaro Calvin.

Brian Brown was also called but sustained an injury that will render him unavailable for the friendlies.

FRIENDLY FACE

Still, Thomas will have a friendly face from MBU in the squad with Demario Phillips also getting the call.

Phillips’ midfield role may be beneficial if Thomas is to show what he has.

“The team (MBU) also helps him to create opportunities to score. It is a great opportunity for him because in a year, it is the World Cup so he needs to work hard to showcase his skills,” Zapata said of Thomas.

Thomas is also aware that what he offers best as an attacker is dependent on the way in which he is utilised.

“I have a unique style of play and I love to invade the spaces. I love to create damage from there, so hopefully the coaches and the other staff will see that. Hopefully they use me to exploit those areas on the pitch,” said Thomas.

Whether or not that happens, just being called to the squad brings a tremendous sense of fulfilment to Thomas.

“I am very elated. I have been working hard towards it and finally I am back in the squad again after such a long time,” he said.

Thomas was first selected in 2023 when the Reggae Boyz faced Guatemala in New Jersey.

He will also have to contend with a trio of Trinidad and Tobago players, who will, for the first time this season, play against him rather than with him.

Thomas’ MBU teammates defender, Josiah Trimmingham, midfielder Darnell Hospedales, and goalkeeper Aaron Enill, have all been selected to turn out for Trinidad and Tobago’s Soca Warriors.

The games, scheduled for February 6 at the Montego Bay Sports Complex, and February 9 at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex, are being used as preparation for the Gold Cup preliminaries set to begin next month.

But Thomas has goals set even further afield than the Gold Cup.

“It is a goal for every Jamaican player to help the team reach the World Cup. Jamaica haven’t done that in a long time so definitely that is an aim for me being on the national team and having a hand in the squad going forward. I will just continue to work hard and see how that goes for me,” Thomas said.

MBU have had an impressive season and sit second in the JPL standings with 44 points after a 3-1 victory over Waterhouse on Wednesday. They will face Dunbeholden today at the Dunbeholden Sports Complex at 3 p.m. Mount Pleasant lead the JPL with 52 points, while Arnett Gardens are in hot pursuit of MBU on 42.

“The World Cup will be a great window for Phillips and three very important players from Trinidad; Hospedales, Trimmingham, and Enill. Brian Brown as well but because of the injury he couldn’t participate. I am so very proud of them all,” Zapata said of the national invites from both teams.