Former MBU coach backs local talent for Boyz squad

FORMER HEAD coach of Montego Bay United FC (MBU) Rodolfo Zapata has said that while he believes half of the talented local players in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) should make up the roster of the Reggae Boyz, it needs a keen eye to detect them.

A week ago, the Argentinian and MBU parted ways in a surprising fashion by mutual consent, and he has now been replaced by Paul ‘Tegat’ Davis for the rest of the Wray and Nephew-sponsored (JPL) 2024-25 season.

“I believe that the Reggae Boyz squad should be formed with 50 per cent of local players and the other half with players from abroad,” Zapata told The Gleaner after his departure from the island.

“There are many talents, but you have to have a very good eye to detect them. Mount Pleasant and Cavalier are doing an excellent job in this regard. I like Nickalia Fuller from Tivoli Gardens, Jalmaro Calvin of Cavalier, Daniel Green of Mount Pleasant, Renaldo Wellington from MBU, and Portmore United’s Tarick Ximines,” added Zapata, while listing some top talents in the JPL.

“We must awaken that hunger for success that Africans have. Jamaica is a beautiful country, and many players live in a comfort zone and sometimes do not want to sacrifice for success. The life of a footballer is very short, and they have to understand that at the age of 30 or 35, their career is over,” Zapata said.

He added: “The same thing happens with the Reggae Boyz. They have a unique opportunity to qualify for the next World Cup since Mexico, Canada, and the USA are the organisers.”

Zapata was brought in during July 2024 to replace Brazilian Neider Dos Santos, who was let go at the end of last season.

MBU sit third in the standings and and appear set for a playoff spot. Zapata’s seven-month tenure as head coach of MBU included 13 wins, six draws, and four losses.

The Argentinian said he had an excellent experience in Jamaica while coaching in the JPL. Having coached in Africa and North America, Zapata said the cultural differences between Jamaica and Argentina did not affect him while being here.

“Adaptation is a key word in my profession. No one country is like the other and thus the need to adapt wherever one finds himself. Besides, each place provides an opportunity to learn something different,” Zapata explained.

He reasoned that a country lives the same way they play football and play the same way they live.

“I have always said Brazilians convey their carnival-type joy when it comes time to step onto the pitch. Countries that have lived through wars translate this feeling on the pitch as they play tactically every match and play to earn a result. In Asia, they run or ride on their bike through the streets of cities like Beijing, Tokyo, or Seoul. Their teams play the same way,” Zapata said.

“African football represents their race to a tee. Despite the lack of resources, they are a very happy, respectful, and educated people, but they are highly disorganised and you can notice that in the World Cup. But they are hungry to succeed, so it is not surprising to find Africans in the big European teams.”

Continuing, he added, “In the US, they say, Time is money’. Life is a business, and that is directly transmitting this sentiment to their football style. Sometimes they have wrong ideas, and sometimes they make good ‘business’ decisions like bringing Messi to play in Miami.”