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Simoes: Blake is my favourite player
July 12, 2023
Former Reggae Boyz coach Rene Simoes says goalkeeper Andre Blake is his favourite player in the current Reggae Boyz squad.
Simoes, who is in the island on invitation from former Jamaica Football Federation president Crenston Boxhill for the Porus Football Festival, said he has seen the Philadelphia Union 'shot stopper' make countless match saving stops for Jamaica and that the 32 year-old continues to be a shining light for his country in the Concacaf Gold Cup.
However, of his 1998 squad he is still undecided but made special mention of former national coach, Theodore 'Tappa' Whitmore and the enigmatic Walter Boyd, as two of the best players he coached during the 1998 World Cup qualifying campaign.
"For 1998 it is difficult. But today for me Blake the goalkeeper is my favourite. He avoided the equaliser against Guatemala. What a save man! That's the man for me. Andre Blake," he told STAR Sports on his arrival yesterday.
He is also an admirer of Damion Lowe, the son of former national player Onandi Lowe.
"I also saw Onandi Lowe's son, what a powerful header (against the United States)," he pointed out.
However, of the 1998 squad Simoes said Whitmore and Boyd were exceptional talents, noting that he rates Boyd highly and he even considered bringing the forward to Brazil to play professionally.
"Theodore was one of the best players I coached in my life. And it could be Boyd.
"I can compare Walter Boyd with some top Brazilian players and I even thought of taking him to Brazil because he was a fantastic player.
"But sometimes people made him misbehave. He was a good player but I think Theodore was the best one," he stated.
