BWNT Captain Sabrina Eiley – Photo Credit: Sabrina Eiley
By Rubén Morales Iglesias: 🇧🇿 After Belize’s Women’s National Team suffered a heavy 9–0 defeat to Haiti in their Concacaf W Qualifier opener, captain Sabrina Eiley took to social media to deliver a powerful message. Facing criticism — some of it harsh and personal — Eiley defended her teammates, called out online bullying, and reminded the public of the sacrifices players make to represent Belize.
🗣️ Eiley’s Message
In her post, Eiley acknowledged that opinions and criticism are part of the game, but drew a firm line against disrespect:
“It’s okay to have an opinion, speak y’all minds,” Eiley said. “We are open to criticism, however I won’t tolerate ANYONE coming on here to bully ANY of my teammates. Don’t be calling them fat, out of shape, shitten or anything you wouldn’t like someone to say to you or any loved one of yours. You don’t know half the damn sacrifices we make.”
She urged critics to channel their energy into supporting youth players and grassroots football, stressing that change begins in communities, not just through the Football Federation of Belize.
Eiley also highlighted the realities of competing against professional players:
“We knew what we were up against and we stepped on that field ready to play for 90 minutes,” she said. “Playing against PRO players is a privilege and I would do it AGAIN. We made our decision to compete and we will continue this tournament because we still have 3 more games to play in February and April.”
⚽ Commitment and Sacrifice
Eiley reminded fans that Belize’s players juggle football with jobs, school, and family responsibilities, without the daily pay or resources available to their opponents. She challenged supporters to contribute in tangible ways — from covering gym fees to offering training or supplements — instead of “sitting behind unu silly phones” to criticize.
Her post ended with gratitude to those who continue to support the team:
“Thanks to all those who continue to support us through it all, who are there to be a positive influence,” the Captain said. “We love and appreciate you all so much and we will continue to train and prepare for the upcoming matches. We owe you guys a better performance, so we will be working on that. It’s not how you fall, it’s how you get back up.”
📅 What’s Next for Belize
The BWNT will regroup for their remaining Concacaf W Qualifier fixtures:
- Feb. 28, 2026 – Dominican Republic 🇩🇴 vs Belize 🇧🇿 (away)
- Apr. 13, 2026 – Belize 🇧🇿 vs Anguilla 🇦🇮 (home, FFB Stadium)
- Apr. 17, 2026 – Suriname 🇸🇷 vs Belize 🇧🇿 (away)
🙏 Eiley’s words reflect her reputation as a conscientious leader and hard worker who speaks with authority. Her message was clear: criticism is welcome, but respect for the players who sacrifice to represent Belize is non-negotiable.
