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St. Kitts and Nevis, December 7th, 2023

In a dramatic showdown at the SKNFA Technical Centre, the St. Kitts and Nevis Sugar Girls faced a formidable Costa Rican squad in their Concacaf Women’s Gold Cup Qualifying campaign finale. Despite suffering a significant defeat, the Sugar Girls exhibited unwavering determination and fought valiantly against the Women’s World Cup participants.

The match unfolded on Monday, marking the culmination of the Sugar Girls’ Gold Cup Qualifying journey. The mostly local players, under the leadership of Coach Samuel Phipps, displayed resilience and dedication throughout the intense encounter, earning applause from the passionate fans in attendance.

Coach Phipps, acknowledging the challenging loss, expressed gratitude and pride for the team’s efforts. “Yes, tough loss tonight at the office. But nonetheless, I thought that the girls went out and gave their heart,” he said. The coach recognized the difficulty of the match against a strong Costa Rican team, emphasizing the individual and collective strengths of the Sugar Girls.

“I think that they went out and did their country proud. They did their best, and we know it was going to be tough. We know it was gonna be tough after Costa Rica beat Haiti 2-1 back in Costa Rica; they’re gonna be gunning for us. But I think that they were good individual players, good team players…they broke us down a few times. We made some blunders, but nonetheless, I tip my hat to the girls,” added Phipps.

While the Sugar Girls may not have advanced to the Gold Cup, Coach Phipps remains optimistic about the future of women’s football in St. Kitts and Nevis. He highlighted the ongoing commitment of the St. Kitts and Nevis Football Association (SKNFA) to build and strengthen the Women’s Program. The focus extends beyond the senior team, with an emphasis on identifying and developing talent at the junior level to ensure sustained success in future competitions.

The Sugar Girls’ journey may have concluded with this qualifying campaign, but their spirited performance against a formidable opponent serves as a testament to their dedication and the potential for continued growth in women’s football on the islands. The SKNFA’s commitment to nurturing talent and fostering the development of the women’s program promises a bright future for the sport in St. Kitts and Nevis.