Posted: Thursday, March 20, 2025. 8:52 am CST.
Belize Men’s National Team Head Coach Charlie Slusher – Photo Courtesy: Charlie Slusher/Facebook
By Rubén Morales Iglesias: As Belize’s Men’s National Football Team (BMNT) gear up to face Costa Rica on Friday, March 21, in the highly anticipated CONCACAF Gold Cup qualifiers, Head Coach Charlie Slusher took to social media on Wednesday to address the growing questions about the BMNT roster. Despite fans and media clamouring for the list of players, both Slusher and the Football Federation of Belize have kept the lineup undisclosed, except for a few players mentioned in his posts.
Slusher expressed his faith in the 23 players available, calling them experienced athletes with great quality and dedication.
“The mission remain the same and thank God we have 23 experienced players with great quality that will be on a mission to upset the giant on Friday,” he said, expressing confidence in the BMNT’s ability to deliver a strong performance.
Responding to criticism regarding certain players not being included in the squad, Slusher took a firm stance on some players’ lack of commitment during the four-week training camp, citing that attendance was essential for readiness against a formidable opponent like Costa Rica. He highlighted examples such as Charles Tillett, Nahjib Guerra, and Jordy Polanco, who, he said, participated sparingly or not at all during the critical four-week preparation period.
“A player who out of 4 weeks only show up for training 3 times or none at all can never be ready for a game against Costa Rica or worst be in a position to make demands without even sacrifice for the 4 weeks like all the other players,” Slusher asserted.
“Example Charles tillett (0) najib guerra (3), jordy polanco (3) if you guys believe they would be ready to face Costa Rica then I can understand your emotions but if a players is not interested you have to find great replacement and if you tell me Angello Capello that plays in England is not a great replacement for jordy who on his own free will decides not to play then i will say you are acting from emotions.”
What Slusher did not directly address in his posts, however, are the underlying reasons for some players’ absences. Reports suggest that dissatisfaction with financial arrangements has played a major role. The per diem training sessions stipend for players has been reduced from $100 to $50, and the $350 game fee has been eliminated altogether. This reduction has put a strain on many players, who have financial obligations to their families and cannot afford to miss work. Unlike professional footballers, not all national team players receive compensation from their employers during their time with the Belize Men’s National Team (BMNT).
Additionally, Slusher has faced challenges in assembling his squad due to resistance from local clubs in the Premier League of Belize. With teams competing for playoff spots and CONCACAF qualification, club managers have been hesitant to release players for national duties, fearing disruptions to their team chemistry during this critical period in the league.
Belize Men’s National Team Head Coach Charlie Slusher, right, directing BMNT training session at the FFB Stadium in November 2024 – Photo Courtesy: Charlie Slusher/Facebook
Despite these hurdles, Slusher remains confident in the group of players he has selected. He highlighted the inclusion of internationally-based players like Capello, who plays in England, as strong replacements for those who he says who opted out.
“No player is bigger than the game, and thank God we still have some of the best Belizean and international Belizean players representing us on Friday who I am confident can still surprise the world with a victory at home,” he remarked.
As the BMNT prepares for the daunting task of taking on Costa Rica, Slusher has called for unwavering support from fans.
“Let’s come out and support the 23 heroes who will go to war for our country on Friday…Can we please stop focusing on who is not with the team but focus on who are with the team and try to trust and motivate them,” he urged.
This Friday’s match is more than just a game; it’s an opportunity for Belizean football to make a statement on the international stage. The 23 players, despite the challenges, carry the hopes of a nation as they step onto the field in Belmopan.
The home and away matches against Costa Rica qualify the winners to the Concacaf Gold Cup.
The match kicks off at 8:00 pm at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan.
Belize Men’s National Team Head Coach Charlie Slusher, left, when he was still active. After a stellar career, he appears in this photograph as the third BMNT goalkeeper behind Shane Orio, center, and Woodrow West, right. Slusher was the starting keeper for many years ahead of Orio and West. – Photo Courtesy: Charlie Slusher/Facebook
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The post Belize Men’s National Team Head Coach Charlie Slusher addresses fan concerns ahead of Belize’s Gold Cup Qualifier appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Thursday, March 20, 2025. 8:52 am CST. Belize Men’s National Team Head Coach Charlie Slusher – Photo Courtesy: Charlie Slusher/Facebook By Rubén Morales Iglesias: As
The post Belize Men’s National Team Head Coach Charlie Slusher addresses fan concerns ahead of Belize’s Gold Cup Qualifier appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
