Trinidad and Tobago goalie Enill ready for war vs Jamaica

Jamaican-based Soca Warriors goalkeeper Aaron Enill said he and his teammates are prepared for war when they face the "Reggae Boyz" of Jamaica in the first match of a two-game friendly series from 8.30 pm (TT time) at the Catherine Hall Sports Complex, Montego Bay on February 6.

The 29-year-old Enill, who lifted the national intercol title with East Mucurapo Secondary during his days of school football, has made quite the impression since joining Montego Bay United last year.

The former Defence Force shot-stopper is one of three Montego Bay players in the TT squad alongside defenders Darnell Hospedales and Josiah Trimmingham.

He said it's an opportunity for players to distinguish themselves ahead of the Concacaf Gold Cup and continuation of the Fifa 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

"Everybody wants the chance to show themselves to go abroad, because this is a next stage. This is international football where the stage is bigger and everybody is looking to do well," Enill told TT Football Association media in a video released on February 5.

"They are dedicated just like us, but at the end of the day, it's (about) who wants it more. I think once my team is on the same wavelength, nothing can stop us."

He said his teammates can expect an aggressive and attacking approach from the Jamaicans. However, he said TT, led by coach Dwight Yorke, will not back down.

"We have a good relationship with the Jamaican players. It's always love. But from the time different uniforms clash, it's war and they already know that," he said.

"It's been like that in the sessions since they've been training. The Jamaica Premier League (JPL) players can't wait and they want to score on me."

Enill has been a critical part of Montego Bay's run to their current third-place ranking in the JPL table, and he credits the turnaround in his form to his son.

"The turning point for me is just seeing what I wanted and going for it. I have a son and I want him to follow in my footsteps. I have to put in the work. If I don't put in the work, he won't have anything to follow. He will look for a different role model, so I have to be the role model for him."

Enill said the competition for the goalkeeping position is stiff within the TT team, but said it has pushed him to work harder.

"I'm just continuing to put in the work and knowing the kind of coach Yorke is and his background, hard work is all I need to put in for him to see. I have the most clean sheets in the league, so that's there for him to see."

The second friendly will kick off at 9 pm at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex in Kingston on February 9.