Haiti manager Migne hopes to visit crisis-torn country one day

Sebastien Migne, who has managed Haiti's national football team for two years, expressed a strong desire to finally visit the Caribbean nation. The ongoing security crisis, however, has prevented the French coach from setting foot in Haiti since taking the helm. His team recently became the first to be eliminated from the World Cup following defeats against Scotland and Brazil, with a final group stage match against Morocco still to play.

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Unfortunately this is the first time it happens in my career, I was not able to go there over the past two years for security reasons, as you might understand.

Migne has not been able to visit Haiti since 2021, a period marked by escalating gang violence and the assassination of President Jovenel Moise. "Unfortunately this is the first time it happens in my career, I was not able to go there over the past two years for security reasons," Migne told reporters. He believes his presence would significantly benefit local coaches and aid in talent detection. "My presence in Haiti would be very helpful for local coaches and would help detect talent locally."

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My presence in Haiti would be very helpful for local coaches and would help detect talent locally.

The majority of Haiti's squad comprises players from the diaspora, with only one player, midfielder Woodensky Pierre, currently playing for a Haitian club. "I managed to take one talent out of the 26 players from Haiti," Migne noted, convinced that the country possesses untapped footballing talent. He remains hopeful that a visit will be possible this year, emphasizing that Haiti's qualification for the World Cup, despite its challenges, was not a coincidence.

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I managed to take one talent out of the 26 players from Haiti.

Despite their elimination from the tournament, Migne stressed the team's determination to perform well in their final game. "Regardless of our elimination, it's important for us to play well for this third game because our qualifying for the World Cup means so much hope for the Haitians," he said. He added, "Yes, there were two losses but the real loss, the real defeat would be us giving up." The match will also mark the international retirement of 38-year-old captain and goalkeeper Johny Placide, whom Migne hopes the team can give a fitting send-off.

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I am convinced this is a home of football and despite the context, the background, it was no coincidence if the country qualified many years ago.