Haiti has qualified for its first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup. After several attempts to equal the men’s feat of qualifying for the World Cup in 1974, Nicolas Delépine’s team has finally done so. Several players of the team that qualified for the U20 World Cup in 2018 served as the team’s fulcrum. The standout player is Melchie Dumornay, also known as Corventina. She helped Haiti defy expectations by defeating Chile 2-1 in the inter-confederation playoff. Since Jean-Bart’s initial accusation in December 2020, Haitian football has been overseen by a normalization commission. Nevertheless, Etienne, who was born in the United States and is the daughter of former Haiti striker Derrick Etienne, hopes the World Cup will mark the beginning of a more promising future.
The country in the Caribbean has seen a number of problems, and the killing of President Jovenel Mose in 2021 added to the unrest there as a result of several natural catastrophes. The sexual abuse scandals that have marred Haitian football, notably those allegedly involving the former head of the football federation, Yves Jean-Bart, have also rocked the nation. After a series of investigations by the Guardian, Fifa’s ethics committee in November 2020 gave Jean-Bart a lifelong ban for alleged harassment and sexual abuse against female footballers. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) reversed the ruling in March 2022. Despite Fifa’s appeal, Swiss federal judges decided in favor of Cas in July 2023. Jean-Bart claims he did nothing wrong.
The Manager
Nicolas Delépine, a native of Nantes, has more than 20 years of experience in French football, specifically with Nantes, Montpellier, and Guingamp. More recently, he served as the head coach of the Grenoble women’s team. Delépine, who took control of Haiti in February 2022. She accomplished a first, helping Haiti qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The 43-year-old does not appear to be committed to any single configuration and organizes his squads based on the opposition. Haiti has used five different formations in its past five games. Delépine is optimistic that they may pull a few surprises in a group that also includes England, China, and Denmark.
Star player
Despite her young age, Corventina, 19, will carry the hopes of a whole country to the World Cup. Dumornay, who was not even 15 years old when she took part in the adventure of the Under-20 World Cup in 2018, was strong, quick, technically adept, a superb striker, and a very good passer. After excelling at Reims last season, Corventina has already committed to a new deal with one of the top teams in Europe, Lyon, and the scene is set for him to become an even greater sensation.
Rising star
The second-youngest player on the Haitian team, Dayana Pierre-Louis, aspires to one day don the Real Madrid uniform. Pierre-Louis, a goal-scoring midfielder who just relocated to France and aims to emulate the success of her teammate Dumornay, is a firm believer in the value of perseverance.
Fun Fact
Less than three months after giving birth, midfielder Etienne actively contributed to Haiti’s qualifying for the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Etienne has won the press and the public’s awe with her incredible talent, passion, and devotion to the national squad.
State of Football
There is hardly any media or television coverage of women’s football in Haiti. The tide is shifting, though, thanks to Dumornay’s breakthrough and the senior women’s team’s first-ever World Cup qualifying. Haitians are already trembling with excitement as the event in Australia and New Zealand draws closer. It is hoped that taking part in the World Cup will help women’s football in the nation.
Our Prediction
Haiti is competing against heavyweights like Denmark, China, and England. Realistically, one point will seem like a victory for the rookies.
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