– Shabazz
By Rawle Toney
If the Technical Director of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Jamaal Shabazz is to be believed then Guyana will certainly reach the finals of the Digicel Caribbean Cup tournament.
There is still some two weeks to go before the Golden Jaguars swing into action for the second leg of the tournament and Guyana are in a tough group but there was not an iota of doubt in the mind of the inspirational Shabazz.
Speaking to Stabroek Sport yesterday from his home in the twin island republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Shabazz gave every assurance that this time his team was heading for the December 3-12 finals in Jamaica.
Between November 5-9, the Golden Jaguars will battle with Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and St Kitts in Trinidad for the right to advance to the finals.
According to Shabazz, preparations for the next round were coming along smoothly with 27 players encamped locally while the overseas players remained active with their respective professional clubs.
But despite his positive outlook, Shabazz is concerned over the fact that players from the outer regions are not being given a fair chance at making the national side.
“Football is not only played in Georgetown and since we have better players in the other regions, this is something that can hamper me from selecting the best possible team and the authorities will need to look into this situation very fast.”
Shabazz added that he was more than pleased with the progress of the overseas players and said that those players being active were a blessing in disguise for Guyana.
“We will be bringing home, John ‘JP’ Rodgrigues, Shawn `Bubbly’ Beveney, the Newton brothers Jake and Howard and a new found talent in Christopher Nurse. “All these players are playing at very high levels in England and when they meet our players who are doing battle in the Trinidad pro-league, they will be a demolition force. This will come as a big blessing for the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) since the players will all be more than match ready and fit,” a delighted sounding Shabazz said. Shabazz said there will definitely be changes for the second round as some of the more regular players were showing a more laid back approach to the game. “There are some local players like Devon Millington who is showing the grit and determination we are looking for while our regular players feel that they are in some form of comfort zone and are hardly working.
“I believe that the Guyanese public would like to see the best possible team representing them and it is my job to fulfill their needs and to answer the call,” he explained.
After the last match when Guyana defeated Suriname to advance to the second round, two of the country’s most experienced players, Collie `Hit Man’ Hercules and Charles `lily’ Pollard had announced their departure from the international scene but Shabazz said even though they will be retiring, their services would be available in other areas.
“Just like what Trinidad and Tobago did with Dwight Yorke and Russell Latapy, likewise will we be doing with the two players who still have a lot to offer to Guyana’s football and its development. I will use them until they are using a walking stick.”
“Fear not but believe in us,” said Shabazz when questioned whether his team would be able to overcome both Trinidad and Tobago and Antigua, the two countries who had beaten the Golden Jaguars in matches after the qualifying round.
“I’m looking forward to playing Trinidad and Antigua because both countries have taken our fans’ confidence from us since we lost to them after qualifying but we want the public to remember when we say that we will come back after losing to Suriname we did. So we will do the same thing to make you proud of us once more,” he said.
If the Technical Director of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Jamaal Shabazz is to be believed then Guyana will certainly reach the finals of the Digicel Caribbean Cup tournament.
There is still some two weeks to go before the Golden Jaguars swing into action for the second leg of the tournament and Guyana are in a tough group but there was not an iota of doubt in the mind of the inspirational Shabazz.
Speaking to Stabroek Sport yesterday from his home in the twin island republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Shabazz gave every assurance that this time his team was heading for the December 3-12 finals in Jamaica.
Between November 5-9, the Golden Jaguars will battle with Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and St Kitts in Trinidad for the right to advance to the finals.
According to Shabazz, preparations for the next round were coming along smoothly with 27 players encamped locally while the overseas players remained active with their respective professional clubs.
But despite his positive outlook, Shabazz is concerned over the fact that players from the outer regions are not being given a fair chance at making the national side.
“Football is not only played in Georgetown and since we have better players in the other regions, this is something that can hamper me from selecting the best possible team and the authorities will need to look into this situation very fast.”
Shabazz added that he was more than pleased with the progress of the overseas players and said that those players being active were a blessing in disguise for Guyana.
“We will be bringing home, John ‘JP’ Rodgrigues, Shawn `Bubbly’ Beveney, the Newton brothers Jake and Howard and a new found talent in Christopher Nurse. “All these players are playing at very high levels in England and when they meet our players who are doing battle in the Trinidad pro-league, they will be a demolition force. This will come as a big blessing for the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) since the players will all be more than match ready and fit,” a delighted sounding Shabazz said. Shabazz said there will definitely be changes for the second round as some of the more regular players were showing a more laid back approach to the game. “There are some local players like Devon Millington who is showing the grit and determination we are looking for while our regular players feel that they are in some form of comfort zone and are hardly working.
“I believe that the Guyanese public would like to see the best possible team representing them and it is my job to fulfill their needs and to answer the call,” he explained.
After the last match when Guyana defeated Suriname to advance to the second round, two of the country’s most experienced players, Collie `Hit Man’ Hercules and Charles `lily’ Pollard had announced their departure from the international scene but Shabazz said even though they will be retiring, their services would be available in other areas.
“Just like what Trinidad and Tobago did with Dwight Yorke and Russell Latapy, likewise will we be doing with the two players who still have a lot to offer to Guyana’s football and its development. I will use them until they are using a walking stick.”
“Fear not but believe in us,” said Shabazz when questioned whether his team would be able to overcome both Trinidad and Tobago and Antigua, the two countries who had beaten the Golden Jaguars in matches after the qualifying round.
“I’m looking forward to playing Trinidad and Antigua because both countries have taken our fans’ confidence from us since we lost to them after qualifying but we want the public to remember when we say that we will come back after losing to Suriname we did. So we will do the same thing to make you proud of us once more,” he said.
