Grenadières Shine in Chile Amid Chaos at Home

Haiti defeated Chile 1-0 on Friday

SANTIAGO, Chile — In a compelling display of skill and unity, Haiti’s national women’s football team secured another victory on the international stage, defeating Chile 1-0 on Friday, April 4, in the first of two scheduled friendly matches. The lone and decisive goal came from Melchie Daëlle Dumornay—Haiti’s midfield maestro—who continues to raise the nation’s flag high through her exceptional talent.

Melchie Dumornay Delivers Again
The match, held in the Chilean capital of Santiago, saw the Grenadières impose their rhythm from the first whistle. Melchie Dumornay, affectionately known as “Corventina,” broke the deadlock in the first half with a sublime finish that left the Chilean goalkeeper frozen. Her goal marks yet another defining moment in her young but already illustrious international career, and it echoes the heroic performance she delivered during the 2023 World Cup playoff, where Haiti knocked Chile out of contention for the global tournament.

A Rivalry Reignited
This friendly match not only reignited the rivalry between these two teams but also served as a reminder of Haiti’s growing dominance in women’s football. For the Chilean squad, it was a chance to avenge their heartbreaking loss in the World Cup qualifiers. For Haiti, it was an opportunity to build momentum ahead of the return match scheduled for April 8.

A Moment of Joy Amid Turmoil
While the Grenadières celebrated on foreign soil, the contrast with the situation back home in Haiti couldn’t be starker. The country continues to grapple with political instability, rampant gang violence, and a humanitarian crisis that has displaced thousands of families. Basic services are collapsing, and food insecurity is alarming in many parts of the nation.

Football as a Source of National Pride
In these dark times, the Haitian women’s football team has emerged as a rare beacon of hope and unity for a fractured country. Their victories elevated the status of women’s sports and gave the Haitian people something to rally behind. For many citizens, these matches offer a much-needed distraction and a symbol of resilience.

From the Ruins, a New Generation Rises
After the match, Nérilia Mondésir, the team’s captain and veteran forward, spoke to local reporters: “We’re not just playing for ourselves—we’re playing for all the little girls in Haiti who dream of a better life and for every family suffering back home. This victory is for them.”

A Nation Watching From Afar
Despite ongoing telecommunications challenges and power outages in Haiti, fans found ways to follow the match, gathering in small groups wherever screens and radio signals were accessible. For a few moments, as Dumornay’s goal hit the back of the net, cheers broke through the gloom in neighborhoods from Cap-Haïtien to Port-au-Prince.

The Next Stop: an April 8 Rematch
As the team prepares for their subsequent encounter with Chile, they carry with them their ambitions and the collective hope of a nation in distress. The Grenadières’ presence on the international stage reminds the world—and themselves—that Haiti is not defined by its tragedies but by its courage and people.