Golden Jaguars custodian Oswald Cornette said while overseas players should be allowed to feature within the national setup, the focus of the national programme should be on the long term development of the local players.
Speaking exclusively with Stabroek Sport following Guyana’s return from the CFU Caribbean Qualification Cup in St Kitts and Nevis, he said, “We didn’t need overseas players, we got our players right here. If we keep playing these players (overseas) what will happen with the ones who are here.”
“If we keep playing them what will happen to us when we have to replace then, what will happen then. We don’t need to focus on overseas players, we need to focus on the players who are here. If we have overseas players who want to come, let them come but our focus should be on the local players,” he said. “Develop the local players, we are capable to compete, we have proven it. It’s just that we made some mistakes; we just need more preparation.” Questioned about the team’s overall performance, the Fruta Conquerors ace said the team played well considering they only practised together for a brief period before the tournament.
“The team performed well but we need more time training together because some of the others teams have been preparing two months before the tournament. We played well for a team that trained for only 10 days together,” he said. “We had only one professional player but we held the other teams well and we need more time. We have to stop with the two week training and start preparing early and get the players up to date.”
Further, he said, “They need to keep this team together and stop breaking up the team. The team is building momentum, if the team had a month’s training we would have done better. We played well but just made a few mistakes and this is due to a lack of training.”
Quizzed about what had the greater impact on the team’s performance Cornette said, “Mostly the preparation and a little of the international exposure. Some of the players were nervous but we overcame that and played football. We need more time training so we can perfect what we are trying to do.”
