Trinidad & Tobago’s former standout youth player and central defender, Robert Primus has been recalled to the national team for the first time after an absence of 8 years. He was selected in head coach Terry Fenwick’s 26-man squad for the upcoming 2022 Qatar World Cup Qualifiers against Guyana (March 25) to be played in Dominican Republic and away to Puerto Rico on March 28th.
Speaking in an interview with TTFA media upon arrival in Santo Domingo for the Qualifier, an overjoyed Primus said. “I feel very excited to be with the guys. It has been awhile, but I am here and ready to get to work.”
Primus, who played in Europe for several years but is now based in India, was confident of his recall to the national team. The 6 feet 2 inches’ stopper said, “I was in the training sessions. I was always around, I just left for club duties so in my mind I always think positive so I believe that I would have gotten the call.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused several changes worldwide and the numerous restrictions were laid down by the Government of T&T which forced the national team to surrender hosting any home matches. The 30-year-old Primus commented, “It was disappointing a bit not playing on Trinidad soil for the home advantage but we can’t study that now. We have to get down to work and get the job done; get the three points and move forward from there.”
Primus is happy to wear the red-white-black colors once more but even more to bond with his teammates. He added, “Playing back then, with the likes of (Andre) Boucaud, (Radanfah) Abu Bakr, (Willis) Plaza. It feels good actually being with those guys again. It is guys you can put your trust in on and off the field as well.”
Primus was instrumental in the qualification and played commendably in the U-17 and U-20 World Cup in 2017 and 2019 respectively. Luckily for him, two of his closest friends who had journeyed with him along the way in youth football is in the current squad. “These are guys I played with since Under-13, Under-14 so we have a really good relationship… me, Khaleem (Hyland), Sheldon (Bateau). Sheldon is like my brother, so we have a really good relationship. It feels good being with them again.”
Primus remains optimistic and positive. “These are the important times now. Match preparations; we got to get our heads together, get our playing style together and just feed off each other energy going into this game.”
Primus has overcome two career-ending injuries but still has a lot to offer to the game of football and his positive mindset on and off the field is a boost to any team.
