Trinidad and Tobago head coach Dwight Yorke believes the absence of experienced strikers Kevin Molino and Levi Garcia presents a golden opportunity for other players to step up in their Concacaf Gold Cup preliminary clash against Cuba.

The Soca Warriors will be without the influential duo for their crucial two-leg qualifier, scheduled to kick off on Friday, at Estadio Antonio Maceo in Santiago, Cuba. The return leg is set for March 25 at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva. The winner over both legs will secure a spot in the 2025 Gold Cup, scheduled to take place from June 14 to July 6 across the United States and Canada.

Yorke confirmed that Molino, Garcia, and defender Jamal Jack would be unavailable. Garcia's absence is due to injury, Jack faces visa issues, and no reason was given for Molino’s unavailability.

Rather than dwelling on the setbacks, Yorke expressed confidence in the squad’s depth, challenging others to seize the moment.

"Players have to be ready to step up... It will open the door for other players," Yorke said during a media conference on Wednesday.

The absence of Molino and Garcia is significant. Molino, 34, recently returned to international football after briefly retiring in September 2023 and has been in prolific form for Defence Force in the TT Premier Football League.

Garcia, 27, one of the team’s key attacking threats, completed a high-profile transfer earlier this year from AEK Athens in Greece to Spartak Moscow in Russia.

Still, Yorke hinted at brothers Joevin and Alvin Jones playing crucial leadership roles during these matches as they chase Gold Cup qualification.

Soca Warriors Squad: Marvin Phillip, Denzil Smith, Jabari St Hillaire, Aubrey David, Isaiah Garcia, Shannon Gomez, Darnell Hospeales, Alvin Jones, Andre Raymond, Josiah Trimmingham, Ajani Fortune, Wayne Frederick II, Dantaye Gilbert, Real Gill, Joevin Jones, Daniel Phillips, Andre Rampersad, Kaihim Thomas, Steffen Yeates, Nathaniel James, Isaiah Lee, Brent Sam, Tyrese Spicer