You can call it the third coming of Jamaal Shabazz.
According to informed sources, Trinidadian Shabazz, the current Caledonia AIA manager, is tipped to replace incumbent tactician Denzil Thompson as coach of the Golden Jaguars team for upcoming engagements this year.
Shabazz, who has been at the helm of the national setup on two previous occasions, created history when he oversaw the local unit’s record setting FIFA World Cup 2014 campaign in a previous stint.
The local side under the stewardship of the Trinidadian, qualified for the CONCACAF semi-finals of the World Cup qualifying campaign for the first time in its history.
He also achieved another first when he led the Golden Jaguars to their best ever FIFA ranking of 86th during the month of November 2010. Guyana’s current ranking is 167th.
Thompson, coach of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) was appointed by former GFF President Christopher Matthias to oversee Guyana’s 2014 Caribbean Cup campaign.
Under Thompson a team missing a number of top and overseas-based players, failed to qualify out of the group stage with two losses and one draw in their three group fixtures.
A squad has also been shortlisted for an upcoming international friendly against Barbados on January 25.
Also returning along with Shabazz is Shabazz’s former assistant and current Alpha United head coach Wayne Dover, who was bypassed for the post of national team’s coach.
Dover will serve as the team’s assistant coach while Georgetown Football Club (GFC) Head Coach Vurlon Mills is tipped to be the team’s trainer.
Former national goalkeeper Andrew Hazel is tipped to serve in the capacity of Goalkeeper Coach while Debita Harripersad will perform duties as the physiotherapist.
GFC assistant coach and manager Faizal Khan is the Operations Manager while former team manager Mark Xavier will be his assistant.
Rounding out the composition of the technical staff is Trevor Burnett who is named as the Equipment Manager. The Technical Director of the federation is expected to be announced Saturday.
In terms of the composition of the squad, only three members from the disappointing 2014 Caribbean Cup Campaign return while five foreign- based players are tipped to be a part of the setup.
The members of the team are Goalkeepers Derick Carter (Western Tigers), Akel Clarke (Central FC), Jason Cromwell (Slingerz FC), Defenders Joshua Brown (Slingerz FC), Trevon Lythcott (Fruta Conquerors), Chris Camacho (Alpha United), Adrian Butters (Canada based), Colin Nelson (Slingerz FC), Jamaal Smith (Canada based), Solomon Austin (Western Tigers), Travis Henry (Monedderlust FC), Midfielders Chris Nurse (Ft. Lauderdale Strikers), Clive Nobrega (Slingerz FC), Eusi Phillips (GDF), Tichard Joseph (Slingerz FC), Dwain Jacobs (Alpha United), Keiron Solomon (GFC), Trayon Bobb, Reshawn Sandiford (Sunburst Camptown) and Amos Ramsay (Riddim Squad) and Forwards Sheldon Holder (Alpha United), Pernel Schultz (Caledonia AIA) and Daniel Wilson (Alpha United).
Training for the international friendly is set to commence on January 14 and run until January 21 with the team departing for the Land of the Flying Fish on January 23. The final team will be selected on January 21 and the team is expected to return to local shores January 26.
