ST JOHN'S, Antigua (CMC) — The general gecretary of the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) says the sudden resignation of its technical director Tom Curtis would not hamper the country's preparations for this year's Caribbean championships.

Gordon 'Banks' Derrick says the Englishman's decision to quit as technical director and head coach of the national team would not disrupt the team's momentum to the Caribbean Cup final scheduled for Antigua in December.

Curtis announced Monday that he was no longer in charge of the country's senior team and was leaving for his homeland.

Speculation over Curtis' future began Antigua's 2-1 loss to the United States on October 12, prevented them from advancing to the next stage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifying competition.

Antigua finished at the bottom of the table with just a single point.

"Even though we don't know who the new head coach would be as yet, when that person comes in he is going to find that a structure is there, players understanding their roles in different positions" said Derrick.

"Once that person brings their philosophy, I am confident that the players would be able to adjust and continue playing and building on what they have learnt," said Derrick, who is also the president of the Caribbean Football Union.

Host nation Antigua and Barbuda and two-time defending champion Jamaica along, with the top two teams from each second-round group, will advance to the Caribbean Cup Finals slated for December 3-16.

At its conclusion, the top-four teams will qualify for next year's CONCACAF Gold Cup.