Haiti has surprised the world by beating Ecuador in the Gold Cup 2-0. Ecuador finished 2nd behind Argentina in the Conmebol to qualify for the World Cup. Haiti played an excellent match against Costa Rica, also World Cup bound, and lost in extra time 2-1 in the quater finals. Hopefully this will be enough to attract soccer scouts from around the world to follow Haiti's "Championnat National de Football, Premiere division". To progress the Haitian players need competion at a higher level. The players can increase their skills by playing outside Haiti and the country's National league can also benefit by allowing quality players to join the teams. Foreign players increase international interest, and the game level of the national league. The Violette A.C. brought in, along with an Argentinian coach a Brazilian player Leandro Mancao to the squad. Although he joined the club in mid-season, he finished with 14 goals, 10 goals behind the top scorer.
Last season top three teams were :
1. FICA 57 points 2. Violette 54 points 3. Baltimore 51 points.
The top four goal scorers were:
1. Golman Pierre FICA 24 goals
2. Jn Rébert Ménélas Roulado 23 goals
3. Pierre Roland St Jean Baltimore 18 goals
4. Leandro Mancao VAC 14 goals.
The first day of the Championnat National is set for february 17.
The schedule for that day is:
St Marc : Baltimore / Triomphe
Cap-Haïtien : ASC / Excelsior
Port-au-Prince : Violette / Zénith
PAP: Racing / Aigle Noir
la Gonâve : Roulado / FICA
Léogâne : Cavaly / Carrioca
Port-au-Prince : Don Bosco / Tempête
Gonaïves : Racing Gonaïves / Valencia
The success of the Haitian National Team begins with the fan's support!
(The first day of the championnat has been moved to 02/24/02)