Maiden International Call-Up for England-based Defender to tackle CONCACAF Nations League
Mason Holgate Needs FIFA Clearance to Play
Mason Holgate has been drafted into the Jamaica squad by new head coach Steve McClaren, despite the fact that he cannot yet represent the Reggae Boyz.
The Everton centre back, currently on loan in the English Championship with West Bromwich Albion, has been selected for this month’s CONCACAF Nations League clashes with Nicaragua and Honduras.
Holgate, who had been pursued by the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) for four years, is still in the process of obtaining his Jamaican passport which is a requirement before he can obtain FIFA approval to play.
With JFF president Michael Rickeets strongly pushing for Holgate’s passport, the 27-year-old is unlikely to have FIFA clearance in time for the match in Nicaragua on Thursday (10 October). However, he could be playing at the National Stadium in Kingston against Honduras next week (14 October).
Holgate is one of 10 England-based players in the 23-strong squad, which includes six who ply their trade in the United States and just two competing in the Jamaica Premier League — Mount Pleasant FC shotstopper Shaquan Davis and Cavalier SC defender Richard King.
There has been recent interest in King from a handful of English Premier League clubs, including West Ham United — where hot-shot striker Mikhail Antonio continues to thrive.
McClaren, who has only briefly been at the helm, has gone for a balanced squad but only picked five midfielders.
He cannot call upon the silky skills of Leon Bailey, who has not turned out for the Boyz since November 2023 due to a combination of injury, suspension and his self-imposed hiatus, because of injury (groin). Yet creative midfielder Tyreek Magee returns, having been highly recommended by assistant coach Merron Gordon.
The former England boss has so far overseen a pair of Nations League games, with his side top of the six-team League A Group B table. He kicked off with a shock scoreless stalemate at home to relative minnows Cuba, but then scored a 2-1 success in Honduras.
Upcoming games against Nicaragua at the Estadio Nacional de Fútbol in Managua and Honduras inside the National Stadium are going to be a challenge, especially without forward Shamar Nicholson.
The 27-year-old, who started his career with Trench Town outfit Boys’ Town, has made himself unavailable as he wishes to return to full fitness having missed out on a comprehensive pre-season run-out with Russian giants Spartak Moscow.
McClaren does have a plethora of strikers that could add firepower to his stars Demarai Grey and Antonio. There are Turkey-based Renaldo Cephas, Norman Campbell, Romario Williams and former schoolboy sensation Kaheim Dixon — a recent Charlton Athletic recruitment from Arnett Gardens FC in Jamaica.
Jamaica could virtually secure qualification for the 2024 CONCACAF Nations League Finals with a couple of victories and other results swinging in their favour. The Boyz are unbeaten in their past seven meetings with Honduras, having won six times on the bounce, and should be oozing with confidence following last month’s 2-1 triumph in Tegucigalpa to continue their impressive record against Central American sides.
JAMAICA SQUAD
Goalkeepers | Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union, USA), Shaquan Davis (Mount Pleasant FC, Jamaica), Jahmali Waite (El Paso Locomotive, USA)
Defenders | Jon Bell (Seattle Sounders FC, USA), Di’Shon Bernard (Sheffield Wednesday, England), Tayvon Gray (New York City FC, USA), Mason Holgate (Everton, on loan at WBA in England), Richard King (Cavalier SC, Jamaica), Greg Leigh (Oxford United, England), Dexter Lembikisa (Wolves, on loan at Yverdon Sport FC in Switzerland, Damion Lowe (Al-Okhdood, Saudi Arabia), Ethan Pinnock (Brentford, England)
Midfielders | Karoy Anderson (Charlton Athletic, England), Bobby Decordova-Reid (Leicester City, England), Joel Latibeaudiere (Coventry City, England), Kasey Palmer (Hull City, England), Tyreek Magee (Colorado Springs Switchback FC, USA)
Strikers | Michail Antonio (West Ham United, England), Norman Campbell (Randers FC, Denmark), Renaldo Cephas (MKE Ankaragucu, Turkey), Kaheim Dixon (Charlton Athletic, England), Demarai Grey (Al-Ettifaq, Saudi Arabia), Romario Williams (Indy Eleven, USA)
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