The Haitian Pulse | June 7, 2024 | Editorial Desk
A Nation Under Pressure, A Team That Delivered
Despite Haiti’s ongoing political turmoil, rising insecurity, and limited resources, Les Grenadiers offered a shining ray of hope Thursday evening. In a scrappy but spirited comeback, Haiti’s national football team defeated Saint Lucia 2-1 in their opening match of the 2nd round of the CONCACAF 2026 World Cup qualifiers at Wildey Turf Stadium in Bridgetown, Barbados.
The victory, though hard-earned and imperfect, marks a significant milestone: it ends a six-game winless drought and offers a breath of national pride to a people who badly need it.
Uninspired First Half Raises Concern
French head coach Sébastien Migné, in his first official match since taking over the team in March, unveiled his starting eleven — a mix of veterans and new blood:
Starting XI
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Johnny Placide (C)
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Carlens Arcus
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Ricardo Ade
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Fabrice Picault
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Duckens Nazon
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Derrick Etienne
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Duke Lacroix (Debut)
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Leverton Pierre
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Carl-Fred Sainthe
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Frandzy Pierrot
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Jean-Kévin Duverne (Debut)
Haiti began the match on shaky footing. The midfield looked disconnected and directionless, while the backline struggled under minimal pressure. In the 18th minute, Saint Lucian midfielder Canniggia Elva capitalized on a defensive error by Duverne and slotted a low drive past captain Johnny Placide. Haiti went into the break trailing 0-1 — a wake-up call that could not be ignored.
Duverne’s Redemption, Nazon’s Milestone
The second half saw immediate improvement after the halftime introduction of Danley Jean-Jacques, who replaced Carl-Fred Sainthe. His presence brought much-needed rhythm and vision to the midfield.
Redemption was swift: in the 47th minute, Duverne — whose earlier mistake led to Saint Lucia’s goal — headed in a precise corner from Fafa Picault to level the score at 1-1. It was Duverne’s second-ever appearance for Haiti, and a moment of emotional vindication.
Still, Haiti’s finishing remained wasteful, with several off-target attempts from Picault, Etienne, and Jean-Jacques. But persistence paid off in the 77th minute when fan-favorite Duckens Nazon, despite losing control of the ball in the box, recovered and fired the winner — his 30th goal in 52 appearances for the national team.
Struggles Behind the Scenes
This result came against a backdrop of chaos. As of June 1, just five days before kickoff, only 11 of the 24 rostered players had arrived in Barbados due to organizational delays. The Haitian Football Federation — still under a FIFA-installed normalization committee — has faced sharp criticism for logistical and planning failures.
These off-field hurdles may explain the team’s lack of cohesion early on, but they also highlight the players’ resilience. They chose to fight — not just for three points, but for the pride of a battered nation.
Bright Spots and Tactical Takeaways
Coach Migné’s tactics came alive in the second half, with Jean-Jacques and Leverton Pierre emerging as standout midfielders. Their crisp passing and transitional control helped neutralize Saint Lucia’s defensive shell and gave Haiti the attacking edge it sorely lacked in the opening period.
Jean-Jacques, in particular, showed promise as a future midfield general — linking up well with Picault and Nazon and energizing the Grenadiers’ offensive push.
What’s Next for Haiti?
With this win, Haiti now sits tied atop Group C in the 2nd round of CONCACAF qualifying. The team returns to Wildey Turf Stadium this Sunday to face Barbados, who will have the home-field advantage. Matches against Curaçao and Aruba are scheduled for 2025. The top two teams in the group will move on to the final qualifying round for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
This victory doesn’t solve Haiti’s structural football issues, but it reignites belief — that against the odds, Les Grenadiers can still rise.
We Want to Hear From You
What did you think of the Grenadiers’ performance? Did Duverne earn his redemption? Is Nazon still Haiti’s most clutch player?
➡️ Leave a comment below and tell us how this match made you feel.
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