Trinidadian Jamaal Shabazz was officially announced as head-coach of the Golden Jaguars senior football team for the upcoming Barbados fixture.
The announcement was made yesterday at a press conference held at the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) headquarters.
Shabazz replaces Guyana Defence Force (GDF) tactician Denzil Thompson.
“I am pleased to be back in Guyana. It is always exciting as there is a connection with me and Guyana,” said Shabazz in the federation’s boardroom following the announcement.
Shabazz, who was at the helm of the national team 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 World Cup Qualification for the first time in the team’s history.
Speaking of that campaign Shabazz said: “The previous achievements were not about one person and the relationship built as a staff transcends what one person brought to the table. The achievements were based on a collective effort.
“The players came from clubs and we don’t recognise the work done at the clubs and in the offices. The lack of recognition causes a lot of discord. Guyanese football is at stage with its most animosity, it’s a difficult period.”
He urged those involved to stop the fighting for the betterment of Guyana’s football.
“This is about the players. Stop the fighting and the animosity. FIFA has come in and brought a leader to settle Guyana’s situation in its rightful place.”
Shabazz’s appointment to the top post and the GFF’s appointment of
Claude Bolton as Technical Director, means that going forward Guyana’s football will be led by persons with previous experience in those positions.
He said that Bolton’s employment opens the possibility of creating a new cadre of coaches which will help in the transition of top players into top coaches.
“We will have a lot of meetings with the Technical Director as to what will be his approach. Sometimes we worry about who leads too much instead of where we are going. We will speak to Bolton and do consultations and come up with the best approach,” he added.
Dover overlooked?
Asked why Alpha United tactician Wayne Dover was not given the reins for the lone fixture, GFF Normalization Committee Chairman Clinton Urling said “On both fronts Shabazz has an excellent record. After we did our assessments, he came out on top. We felt he was the best person.
“Looking back at Shabazz’s first and second stints and where he would have carried the team is sufficient (reason) enough at this time for him to be the head coach”.
The GFF has also shortlisted a squad to prepare for the upcoming engagement and quizzed about the criteria that was used to select the team. Urling said: “Most of the groundwork was done by Shabazz and his team, moving forward we will do a more holistic approach.”
According to Urling more discussions with key stakeholders will be undertaken going forward with respect to the selection of the national head coach and the selection of national team players.
He noted that the performances of players during local tournaments will also be considered when selecting players for national duties.
Not for World Cup
This year will see the commencement of the qualification process for the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup and Guyana is expected to participate.
The draw for the preliminary rounds of the competition is set for Thursday at the W Hotel South Beach in Miami Beach, Florida.
Urling said Shabazz’s appointment is not for the World Cup.
“We have not made a decision on the coach for the World Cup Qualifiers. Our focus is on the Barbados game and we have until June for the qualifiers to decide.”
He disclosed however, that Shabazz will be around after the conclusion of the Barbados fixture and will be eligible and be considered to remain in the post going into the World Cup qualifying campaign.
Reuniting with Shabazz once more as Assistant Coach is Dover while Anson Ambrose will be the team’s trainer. Andrew Hazel will serve in the capacity of Goalkeeper Coach while Debita Harripersad is the Physiotherapist.
GFC assistant coach and manager Faizal Khan will be the Administrative Manager while former team manager Mark Xavier is the Operations Manager.
Completing the technical staff is Trevor Burnett who is the Equipment Manager. Shabazz’s first engagement will be the opening leg of a home and away series against Barbados on February 1 in the Land of the Flying Fish.
The provisional squad are Goalkeepers Derick Carter (Western Tigers), Oswald Cornette (Fruta Conquerors), Defenders Joshua Brown (Slingerz FC), Quincy Madramootoo (Alpha United), Trevon Lythcott (Fruta Conquerors), Chris Camacho (Alpha United), Colin Nelson (Slingerz FC), Jamaal Smith (Canada based), Solomon Austin (Western Tigers), Travis Henry (Monedderlust FC), Midfielders Chris Nurse (Ft. Lauderdale Strikers), Emery Welshman (Canada based), Clive Nobrega (Slingerz FC), Eusi Phillips (GDF), Daniel Wilson, (Alpha United) Travis Hilliman (Den Amstel), Denver Dennis (Buxton United), Tichard Joseph (Slingerz FC), Dwain Jacobs (Alpha United), Dwight Peters( Alpha United), Keiron Solomon (GFC), Rawle Gittens( Winners Connection), Vurlon Mills (Slingerz FC), Reshawn Sandiford (Sunburst Camptown) and Amos Ramsay (Riddim Squad) and Forwards Sheldon Holder (Alpha United) Calvin Shepherd (Pele), Dwayne Lawrence (Fruta Conquerors), Trayon Bobb (Caledonia AIA), Pernel Schultz (Caledonia AIA), Domini Garnett (Grove Hi-Tech) and Omallo Williams (Pele).
