Conflicting reports about Cephas' absence from Reggae Boyz squad

There are conflicting stories as to why Turkish-based striker Renaldo Cephas will miss the Reggae Boyz upcoming CONCACAF Nations League matches against Grenada and Haiti. According to a Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) release, Cephas missed the trip due to flight problems.

However, a reliable source told Radio Jamaica Sports that no ticket was bought for the striker, as the business class ticket which was requested by his camp for him to fly from Istanbul to Panama was deemed too expensive.

Radio Jamaica Sports further understands that cephas, who plies his trade with Turkish Super League team Ankaragücü, was only presented with his flight document for the previous set of Nations League matches an hour before flight time.

As a result, his flight arrangement had to be changed which saw him landing in Montego Bay less than 24 hours before Jamaica's game against Honduras.

Veteran defender Adrian Mariappa has also withdrawn due to personal reasons, while another defender, Javain Brown also withdrew due to injury.

Teenage sensation Dujuan "Whisper" Richards who was not originally selected for the matches, has now been included.  

West Ham United striker Michail Antonio will miss the game against Grenada, but will be available for the encounter against Haiti.

The squad has arrived in Grenada and had their  first training session on Tuesday morning.

The Heimir Hallgrimsson-coached team will oppose Grenada on Thursday at 6:00 pm Jamaica time before the Haitian clash on Sunday in Trinidad and Tobago.