Latest update April 16th, 2026 12:40 AM
Alpha United strengthening for CFU Club Championship
$28 million budget mulled, club hosts player appreciation dinner
By Franklin Wilson
President of Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United F.C Odinga Lumumba has disclosed that they intend to strengthen their team ahead of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Champions Cup.
Howard Lowe
Lumumba made the remarks on Friday evening at the Water Chris International Hotel where the club held an appreciation dinner for the players. Alpha will match skills with Tampete FC of Haiti in their first-round knockout pairing on March 18 in Haiti with the second leg set for a week later in Guyana.
Kaieteur Sport understands that the management of the club is presently looking at a couple of players out of Miami USA and Brazil.
Four local players have already signed for the 2009 season, Neal & Massey Caledonia AIA defender Howard Lowe, Edison Gomes a former Western Tigers player and the Santos duo of Carlos Monkhouse and Elvin Foo. They were introduced at Friday evening’s dinner.
Edison Gomes
Lumumba disclosed that he is aiming to bring in at least eight players and being looked at are Tobago United goalkeeper Shawn Johnson and former national defender Abassi McPherson who was sidelined with an injury for over one year.
Lowe, one of the most seasoned national defenders, was a regular fixture with Alpha during the year end Kashif and Shanghai tournament.
Elvin Foo
The Alpha President believes that their first game against Tampete FC of Haiti was a tough draw which they have to live with it but they are going to be strong for the CFU competition.
The Caribbean event will qualify three teams for next season’s CONCACAF Champions League and according to the Alpha head it will take them between 17 to 28 millions Guyana dollars to go all the way.
“We anticipate that the government, companies and friends will come forward and support us. The key is to raise US $35,000 to get the team to Haiti in March and we have to work on that. But by God’s help we will get there.”
Carlos Monkhouse
During his remarks to the players Lumumba told them that they will not be taking part in the Kashif and Shanghai tournament any more for such a small purse since it takes six to seven hundred thousand dollars to prepare and to win one million dollars does not balance out.
“They got to come two, three million dollars or this club will not be taking part anymore, we have to take it to another level.”
He also said the prize monies offered at the Premier League level has to increase.
Commenting on the dinner, Lumumba said the team had done great in 08 and this was a way of saying thank you for their hard work. He said that the club meets on a monthly basis for dinner.
Also present at Friday’s dinner were club PRO Steve Ninvalle and former head coach, Wayne ‘Wiggy’ Dover who also spoke briefly.
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