In Focus: The Haitian side that Malta faces next Saturday

Malta’s Women’s National Team will be playing a friendly against Haiti next Saturday. This forms part of Haiti’s final preparations as they embark on their first-ever senior Women’s World Cup in Australia & New Zealand, next July 20th. Below we look at the story of Les Grenadières, recent form, and some key players to look out for.

Youthful Ambition

These women will be the first Haitian team to play a senior World Cup since the men’s team competed in 1974 in Germany. There is a sense of a fairytale in this qualification and the team’s trajectory, one that provides stark contrast against the turmoil they have had to battle, including those of abuse allegations against the Haitian Federation president, and a country battered by political and natural disasters.

Though the finalised World Cup squad is still to be announced, the team has been dubbed Haiti’s Golden Generation. The side that ensured qualification was one of the youngest group of players, with an average age of just twenty-two years and a half. Nine of the women had already made history as the first Haitian U20 Women’s National Team to qualify for the 2018 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup. It was the first time any Haitian women’s team had reached a World Cup of any age level.

Road to the Women’s World Cup

Haiti qualified by beating Chile 2-1 in the World Cup Inter-Confederation Playoffs, thanks to a brace by new Olympique Lyonnais signing, Melchie Dumornay. She fired a belter from a tight angle just on the stroke of half-time, before placing a low shot into the far corner in the final three of eleven minutes of injury time awarded by the referee. This followed Christiane Endler’s penalty heroics against Nerilia Mondesir. Though Maria Jose Rojas got one back for Chile at the dying moments, Haiti had secured their moment in history. They had previously beaten Senegal 4-0 in the opening match of qualifications.

The side secured a chance to play in the World Cup Inter-Confederation playoffs after placing third in their group during the CONCACAF W Championship, thanks to a 3-0 victory over Mexico.

Key Players

Their manager, Frenchman Nicolas Delépine, took over last year on the condition that he can keep managing Grenoble Foot 38, who ply their trade in France’s Division 2 Femenine. Unsurprisingly, the players that make up the core of selected Haitian squads play in France, however, there are also a few who compete at college level in the United States.

Among the team that qualified in the U20 Women’s World Cup and have since ensured a trip to the upcoming Women’s World Cup, were Nerilia Mondesir who plays for Montpellier HSC, and Melchie Dumornay. The latter featured for Stade de Reims until last season but has been snapped up by historic champions Olympiques Lyonnais and will complete the move on 1^st July 2023. Dubbed one of the wonder-kids of the future she topped the NXGN list in 2022 of most promising youngsters, a list which featured Malta’s Haley Bugeja in third place, with the two split by Australia’s Mary Fowler.

Midfield duo Sherly Jeudy (Grenoble Foot 38) and Danielle Etienne (Fordham Rams) also featured for Haiti in the U20 Women’s World Cup in 2018, with the former expected to be pivotal in implementing Nicolas Delépine’s philosophy since she also plays for his team at club level.

In contrast, thirty-year-old Roselord Borghella provides some experience to the side and scored a brace against Senegal in the qualifiers. She currently plays for Dijon FCO and brings versatility on the pitch, capable of playing on the wings and in the forward line. Batcheba Louis (Fleury 91) is a crafty attacking midfielder with a penchant for killer passes and an eye for goal, so can also be a handful.

Haiti is currently holding a training camp in Switzerland in preparation for the upcoming Women’s World Cup. They will play a friendly against Malta, next Saturday 1st of July.

Photo: Mediasport Haiti