Latest News
Reggae Boyz captain Blake ready for Nations League return against Cuba
September 06, 2024
Having been ruled out of national duties for months because of injury, Reggae Boyz captain Andre Blake has assured that he has no fitness issues and is ready to make his return when Jamaica take on Cuba at the National Stadium today in their opening game of the Concacaf Nations League. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference yesterday, Blake said he has played multiple games for his club Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer and feels he is in good form.
"I'm feeling good," Blake explained. "I've played 11 games since I've been back, some quick succession games as well. So I guess you can say that was a test and I've passed the test," he related.
Blake's last outing with the Reggae Boyz was earlier this year during the Nations League third-place play-off against Panama. He kept a clean sheet as Jamaica took home the bronze medal with a one-nil victory.
Becasue of the timing of his injury, he was forced to miss the team's opening World Cup qualifiers against the Dominican Republic and Dominica.
Blake was also sidelined for the Copa America tournament, where Jamaica lost all its group stage matches. The Reggae Boyz were beaten 0-1 by Mexico, then went down 1-3 to Ecuador before being blanked 0-3 in their final game by Venezuela.
Despite the poor results, Blake, the standout goalkeeper and captain, believes the Jamaica team is heading in the right direction.
"It was tough for me not to be able to be with the Boyz, especially in the Copa. The game can be defined by small margins and, unfortunately, we fell short," he admitted. "(But) I think we're heading in the right direction."
Continuing, Blake said the Reggae Boyz are in good spirits and he expects positive returns.
"It's always good to be back with the Boyz. The energy is good and the vibes is here in the camp. We're excited and we're looking forward to it, and I think there is great things to come," he said.
Reggae Boyz head coach Stephen McClaren, said the team will be bolstered by Blake's return, noting that the captain will play a key role in Jamaica's Nations League campaign.
He explained that, as the team adjusts to his tutelage, Blake's leadership and defensive prowess will be an asset.
"We've introduced one or two same things, principles and non-negotiables which we must have," McClaren said. "It is not going to be easy and it's not going to happen straight away. We're going to have times when we try to build up and make mistakes, and Andre is central to that and I take responsibility for that," he noted.
Following today's match, the team makes a quick turnaround for an away fixture against Honduras on Tuesday.
