A 24-man U-20 national football squad will leave the island this afternoon for a three-week training stint in Brazil.

The Jamaicans will try to replicate the success of their U-17 counterparts who underwent a six-week training programme in the South American country before securing a spot at the CONCACAF qualifying series at the recent final round qualifiers in Montego Bay.

Coach Andrew Edwards, who will be working with Brazilian coach Walter Gama when the team arrives in Brazil, says this is the best squad the coaching staff has identified and is hoping they make the country proud.

“The preparation here was largely about scouting players… once we decided on the main group of about 35 players then we started to try develop the tactical systems we wanted to use. We have laid a pretty decent foundation in going forward,” he said.

The squad will be based at the Traffic Academy in Porto Feliz, just outside Soa Paulo, where the U-17s also stayed during their stint.

A 20-man squad which will travel directly to Guatamala from Brazil for their final round qualifiers beginning on March 28 will be selected at the end of the camp.

Training Squad: Ackeemo Palmer, Allan Ottey, Ashani Walker, Craig Foster, Denmark Gillings, Devon Williams, Ewan Grandison, Gregory McKogg, Jamiel Hardware, Jason Wallace, Jason Watson, Jhamie Hyde, Kemar Beckford, Kemar Foster, Kemar Lawrence, Neco Brett, Oneil Fisher, Paul Wilson, Ramone McGregor, Ricardo Morris, Richardo Israel, Sergio Campbell, Shaven Paul and Marvin Morgan — who will join the team on March 5 after completing as trial stint in Europe.

Raymond Grant will head the delegation untill March 17, with Dale Spencer set to take over from the 17th to the 25th.

Joao Brigatti is the goalkeeping coach and Luciano Gama the physical trainer. Dr Carlton Fraser is the team doctor, Howard Bell the manager, Juan Pablo Camargo the massuer and Lloyd Holmes the equiptment manager.

Onaje and Ramon Bell will be responsible for tutoring the young Boyz in their long stay away from home.