Angus Eve has been re-appointed as the men’s senior national team coach until March 31, 2023. The FIFA appointed Normalization Committee of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) announced on Thursday.
Eve will also be the coach of the Men’s U20 national team as part of the strategic plan for qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The former midfielder and captain was initially handed the short-term contract on June 13 until August 31 after replacing Terry Fenwick as coach following their failed 2022 Qatar World Cup campaign.
Eve told TTFA Media “I’m really grateful for this opportunity to continue to serve the country in this new capacity. I am very grateful and excited about the work. It is important that we develop this project from U20 to Seniors with our target of 2026. I am happy to lend my experience as I know each set of players and we can work on getting the blend right.” Eve continued, “It now gives us the opportunity to develop the younger players and provide them with enough exposure heading into the World Cup 2026 which will be in this region.”
Chairman of the Normalization Committee member, Robert Hadad stated, “Angus earned an opportunity because of his desire to help Trinidad and Tobago football, his success in the last few outings and the potential that he has shown. He is passionate about our football, and we see this as a relationship where the team and Angus can grow together and be successful.” Hadad also stated, “Angus knows the U20 players and is extremely decorated in youth football from his time in the SSFL. He has shown that he can relate to and get the best out of the young players. And though his time was short so far, he showed that with the Senior Team as well. So, this was viewed as an ideal fit as we target development towards qualification for the 2026 World Cup.”
The passionate Eve coached the Soca Warriors for five matches at the Gold Cup in July including two knockout qualifiers. Their best attacking performance was on July 2 against Montserrat winning comprehensively 6-1. The following match, they defeated a stubborn French Guiana 8-7 in sudden death penalties after drawing 1-1 in regulation time. This victory slotted them into the Group A and a $100,000 USD cheque.
In their first match of Group A, the Soca Warriors drew 0-0 with Mexico which was deemed their grittiest performance of the tournament. Four days later, on July 14 they suffered their first and only defeat of tournament to El Salvador losing two nil. Then, needing a victory to have any chance of qualifying for knockout stage, Eve’s troops drew 1-1 with Guatemala.
The Soca Warriors completed the group in third position behind Mexico and El Salvador whilst Guatemala finished in the last position. The former national youth coach ended with two victories, two draws and one defeat in his first taste of international senior football.
