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Shaquan Davis demands more character from Mt Pleasant
September 02, 2026
Mount Pleasant Football Academy goalkeeper Shaquan Davis has called for greater character from his teammates, as the defending champions look to rescue their Concacaf Caribbean Cup football title defence against Salcedo FC today.
The St Ann-based team suffered a 2-1 defeat to Cibao FC in their opening Group B encounter, leaving them needing a response when they face another Dominican Republic side, Salcedo, at Cibao Stadium today at 7 p.m.
Davis believes his teammates have the quality to get their campaign back on track, but said they must show a stronger mentality and execute the instructions from the coaching staff.
“I think we need to show more character, to express who we are and set out to do what we are told to do, and we should get the results that we so badly want,” Davis said during yesterday’s pre-match press conference.
Positive mood
Despite the opening defeat, Davis said the mood within the squad remains positive, with the players motivated by the belief that they could have taken something from their first match.
“The mood of the team is good. We’re highly motivated, especially that we lost the last game that we played, knowing that we should have, or could have, won the game, even how we played and stuff,” he said.
Salcedo will provide a stern test for Mount Pleasant, having opened their campaign with a victory over Portmore United before playing out a goalless draw with Cavalier.
With little room for error, Mount Pleasant’s head coach Theodore ‘Tappa’ Whitmore is demanding that his players focus on the elements of the game that are within their control.
“You can’t control everything, but what we do know and what we can control is the attitude, the effort, and just to go out there and make our fans and Mount Pleasant proud,” Whitmore said.
Additional pressure
Whitmore also rejected the notion that being defending champions has placed additional pressure on his team.
“First and foremost, we are glad to be here as defending champions. But for us, defending champions means nothing to us. This is a new tournament, so that’s our focus,” Whitmore said.
“I think as the defending champions, we feel in no way under pressure. I think pressure is a gift. We just have to go out there, stick to our principles and make use of our chances. Once we can execute in the final third, that’s it for us.”
Whitmore said the Caribbean Cup remains an important opportunity for the club to represent Jamaica and compete against the region’s best, while seeking to retain the title they won last year.
“It’s a good tournament that every club wants to be there. I think we have the privilege of representing our country, representing Mount Pleasant, and it’s really a privilege,” he said.
“We enjoy this tournament, and we’re looking forward to going all the way to defend our title again.”
