Dexter Lembikisa has taken the number of Wolves players on international duty this summer up to 15 as he is named in Jamaica’s squad for the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
The defender was included in the Reggae Boyz’s 23-man squad for the North, Central American and Caribbean competition, which will be hosted by Canada and the United States from 24th June to 16th July.
Runners-up in 2015 and 2017, Jamaica will face hosts USA as well as Trinidad and Tobago and the winner of the play-off match between Saint Kitts and Nevis and French Guiana.
Lembikisa has already featured twice for Jamaica in warm-up friendlies this summer, having started a 2-1 loss to Qatar on Thursday before coming off the bench in another defeat to Jordan on Monday, and the right-back will be hoping to be part of his national team for their opening game of the Gold Cup against USA on Saturday evening in Chicago.
Our 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup Squad has been named! 💪🏿
— Official J.F.F (@jff_football) June 19, 2023
.#ReggaeBoyz #GoldCup #ThisIsOurs #JFF_Football pic.twitter.com/6uSI0iMgHo
Speaking to the Jamaican Football Federation this week, Lembikisa has discussed his time with the national team, having made his debut in a friendly against Trinidad before a Nations League tie against Mexico and Raul Jimenez in the Azteca Stadium.
On representing Jamaica once again
“It’s always an honour to come and play for your country and even if it’s just training and being around the team, it’s always good and I’ve been really enjoying it so far.”
On a breakthrough season at Wolves
“With the new manager coming in and trusting me to play and giving me my first start, my full debut, against Liverpool, it’s been good, and I’ve enjoyed it.
“It’s been a dream come true to play the professional game, so it’s been a good year, and obviously, playing for Jamaica in the Nations League was also a massive achievement, so I’ve really enjoyed this year.”
“It’s amazing playing in the National Stadium…”
— Official J.F.F (@jff_football) June 17, 2023
💻 Watch the full Interview on JFFLive YouTube, link to watch here: https://t.co/yMwL1NKWD3
.#ReggaeBoyz #InternationalFriendlies #JFF_Football pic.twitter.com/anGqhYhMGO
On his international debut
“It was amazing playing in the national stadium, because I watched the game when I came with the under-20s and it looked amazing to be playing down there and playing on the pitch.
“It was always a dream to play in front of your country and your nation, so it was amazing to play in the national stadium for Jamaica and then go on to play in the Azteca [against Mexico] as well.”
On being part of Jamaica’s Gold Cup squad
“I’m looking forwards to it a lot. I’ve heard it’s going to be a good experience, even just being around it again, so I’m looking forwards to it.
“The boys said that it’s always a good experience, a good tournament to play in, and they’ve always enjoyed it, so I’m looking forward to it.”
