CONCACAF yesterday heaped praise on the hierarchy of the Bermuda Football Association at a time when president Neville Tyrrell appears to be set to face a leadership challenge.

In the eyes of CONCACAF general secretary Chuck Blazer, the Island's administrators get top marks for their accomplishments in restoring faith in Bermuda soccer during the past five years -- making apparent reference to the giant steps forward made since the `Miami Seven' debacle.

Back in 1994, Bermuda's soccer reputation in the CONCACAF region in particular sank to a depressing low after seven players in the Under-19 national squad pleaded guilty to charges that they tried to smuggle drugs through Miami Airport.

But now the general consensus within CONCACAF is that Bermuda has made vast progress thanks to the people at the helm such as president Tyrrell, Blazer concurred. "The situation that occurred in Miami is very regrettable for everybody and certainly I was involved in it,'' said Blazer.

"It's certainly something that nobody could condone but certainly there is no evidence whatsoever of anything other than what has been very good and very defined management by the BFA since that time.

"Since that unfortunate time we have had an executive committee meeting held there, we are very familiar with the administration, the president Mr Tyrrell in particular, along with the General Secretary, we have seen every sign of good management.'' He felt that FIFA shared his views, which was also the view of CONCACAF president Jack Warner who is also the current vice president of soccer's world governing body FIFA.

Blazer was not aware of any challenge to the current regime to take place at the BFA's AGM this summer and wished to stay out of the Island's soccer politics. "There is absolutely no impact on an ongoing basis with regard to the opinions either of CONCACAF or FIFA with regard to the membership and the activities of Bermuda,'' said Blazer.

CONCACAF have taken note of Bermuda's increased participation in tournaments in the region in particular, including those run by the Caribbean Football Union. This, combined with the fact that the Island has also entered more teams in World Cups at various levels, albeit with the help of funding from FIFA, has been recognised.

"The idea is development and development occurs through the participation of national teams in FIFA programmes.

"There has been every evidence that Bermuda has, on an increasing basis again, gone back into the mainstream of international competition and we are very pleased to see that,'' Blazer added.

Meanwhile the BFA yesterday applauded the successful under-16 national team and coach Kenny Thompson and his staff for reaching the finals of the Caribbean Football Union Youth Tournament in Haiti next month after beating the US Virgin Islands 11-0 on aggregate.

"We are very excited. We know they left here with a four-goal cushion but coach Thompson instilled in them not to get overconfident because the game is played on the field and his advice certainly did pay off,'' Tyrrell said.

"The BFA is very excited and overjoyed for all involved, they are our future and they have proven to be a team to be reckoned with.

"They will obviously have the strong backing of the BFA and the country at large when they face the big challenges that lie ahead in Haiti where there also lies a great learning experience for them.''