MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica — Duwayne Kerr is a giant of a man — both in character and stature.

There is no doubt that he will dwarf many of his peers measuring up against him in the physical sense, or even when philosophising about Jamaica’s football or that of his professional career in a faraway land.

The former Reno FC goalkeeper, standing at an impressive 6ft 5in, says that like every other player in the senior Reggae Boyz set-up, he is looking forward to playing his role in helping the country win the 2014 CFU Caribbean Cup being contested in Montego Bay, the heart of the nation’s tourism.

“It is always good to be here as it’s the national team and you know it’s always a privilege to play for the country… and I am looking forward, as always, to play a role in helping my country to be successful,” said the Sarpsborg 08 custodian.

With Jamaica’s football image taking a battering of late with a distasteful FIFA ranking of 113th and a string of losses under his belt, Kerr agrees that being crowned Caribbean champions will aid in a significant turnaround in fortunes.

“Winning the tournament will certainly do a lot for Jamaica’s football because, when you look at the rankings and everything that has been happening, it’s always good to win, especially at this time,” said the 27-year-old, who first moved to Norway with First Division side Strommen.

But if Jamaica are to defend their honour at home, they have to start winning. In their first Group B game against Martinique on Wednesday night at the Montego Bay Sports Complex, the Boyz could only manage a draw in a performance that lacked the swagger of a championship team.

That was expected to change last night against Antigua and Barbuda in a death-defying match-up.

“We know we have a very tough task at hand, but we know we can do it if we stick together,” Kerr told the Jamaica Observer at training at the Half Moon Hotel on Thursday evening.

Looking back at the Martinique game, which Kerr watched from the bench as Philadelphia Union gloveman Andre Blake was given the nod over both him and Tampa Bay Rowdies’ Ryan Thompson, the former Portmore United man thought Jamaica’s performance was inconsistent throughout.

“It was a very difficult game and I think we were doing well in the first 20 minutes, and after [that], I think we allowed them [Martinique] to get back into the game and then we struggled a little bit, but that’s football and we now have to look past that game, and look forward to the next and make sure we win that and move on.”

Kerr, who is establishing himself as a regular in the senior ranks, was an outstanding goalkeeper at Jamaica’s youth levels, having featured as an Under-17, Under-20 and Under-23 player.

At Sarpsborg 08, Kerr said life is good, but hinted that his eyes remain peeled for any other opportunity for upward mobility.

“Things are very good at my club now, and I have one more year there, plus they offered me an extension, but I will be thinking about that… but overall, to be playing out of Jamaica is always good and that’s just our jobs as professionals,” he said.

Sarpsborg 08, who play in the Tippeligaen, which is the Norwegian top league, finished eighth this season, and Kerr shared that he had a productive stint.

“I played almost every game, apart from when I am injured… and I am very satisfied with my performance whenever I played,” he noted.