Coventry City notebook: Haji takes trophy while Sky Blues’ Jamaican duo make history

Coventry City reported back for training this week as they prepare to resume their Championship play-off push, starting with Good Friday’s trip to Huddersfield Town.

The Sky Blues got their preparations underway today with an open training session at the CBS Arena for their young fans after a well-earned rest last week for the international break.

Three City players have been away on duty with their respective countries, with Haji Wright away with the United States and Joel Latibeaudiere and Kasey Palmer with Jamaica. All three were playing in the Concacaf Nations League finals in Texas and are due back this week. Here we round up what’s going on in and around the club with Sky Blues reporter Andy Turner’s weekly notebook.

Haji helps USA to trophy

Coventry City’s Haji Wright helped the United States men’s national team win the Concacaf Nations League for a third time in a row after defeating Mexico 2-0 on Sunday night in Arlington, Texas.

Bournemouth’s Tyler Adams scored in the first half before Nottingham Forest’s Gio Reyna grabbed a goal in the second half with Gregg Berhalter’s team producing a much more comprehensive performance than in their semi-final win over Jamaica when two late goals from Wright saw the USA come from behind to reach the final.

The Sky Blues striker started against Mexico in the final and played 66 minutes but was not able to get on the scoresheet.

Jamaica, whose side included Kasey Palmer and Joel Latibeaudiere, beat Panama 1-0 in the third-place game to take the bronze medal in the competition.

In the final minutes the match was stopped twice after homophobic chants from Mexico supporters. Despite numerous in-game announcements aimed at stopping the chants, they continued as the match was stopped before it was concluded before a late goal kick.

Both the United States and Mexico will now begin gearing up for this summer’s Copa America, which will be played in the U.S. from June 20 to July 14. Beyond that, they’ll be looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico and Canada.

Sky Blues pair become history makers
Coventry City pair Joel Latibeaudiere and Kasey Palmer helped Jamaica to a 1-0 victory against Panama in the Third-Place Match of the 2023-24 Concacaf Nations League Finals on Sunday evening at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

With the victory, Jamaica becomes the first team from the Caribbean in history to finish on the podium in the Concacaf Nations League Finals. It is Jamaica’s fourth win against Panama in history and the first since the quarterfinals of the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup.

Latibeaudiere played at left of a back three and completed the full 90 minutes while Palmer was deployed in midfield in a 3-4-3 formation and played for the first 81 minutes before going off.

Ticket details for Saints

Ticket details have been confirmed for Coventry City’s away match against play-off rivals Southampton next month. The Sky Blues make the trip to St Mary’s Stadium on Tuesday, April 9, with a 7.45pm kick-off for the Sky Bet Championship fixture.