Teen prospects named in Jamaica squad for London Unity Cup

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica will take several young players to London after a 24-member Reggae Boyz squad was announced on Wednesday for the Unity Cup, which is scheduled for later this month.

National Under-20 goalkeeper Joshua Grant and Netherlands-based defender Marlon Van de Wetering have been selected, while 16-year-old Manchester City academy player Caelan-Kole Cadamarteri has earned his first senior call-up. Interim head coach Rudolph Speid also named two 19-year-olds, forward Nick Simmonds and defender Odin Samuels-Smith.

Damion Lowe, the experienced defender with 80 appearances for Jamaica, is expected to captain the side. The squad also includes seven players based locally.

Jamaica will meet India in one semi-final at Charlton Athletic on May 27. Nigeria and Zimbabwe play the other semi-final at the same ground the previous day. The semi-final winners advance to the May 30 final, while the losing teams will contest the third-place play-off.

The Reggae Boyz reached last year’s Unity Cup final but were beaten by Nigeria, who have won the tournament three times.

Squad: Goalkeepers — Joshua Grant, Coniah Boyce-Clarke, Tafari Chambers. Defenders — Damion Lowe, Joel Latibeaudiere, Jeovanni Laing, Odin Samuels-Smith, Ronaldo Webster, Christopher Ainsworth, Dexter Lembikisa, Marlon Van de Wetering. Midfielders — Isaac Hayden, Courtney Clarke, Nickyle Ellis, Dwight Merrick, Brandon Cover, Tyrese Hall. Forwards — Bailey-Tye Cadamarteri, Caelan-Kole Cadamarteri, Dajaune Brown, Nick Simmonds, Kaheim Dixon, Nickalia Fuller, Raheem Edwards.