The Golden Jaguars are set to depart local shores today for the Land of the Flying Fish to oppose Caribbean Football Union (CFU) rival Barbados in an international friendly scheduled to be contested on Sunday February 1st.
Former captain Chris Nurse during an invited comment said “Preparation has been good. We made the best out of the situation, we know the players have not been playing a lot of football but we have made the best of it. There is no point in dwelling on the negative, we have to work to make it the best we can”.
He noted its first time that several of the players will be playing together so it will take time for the squad to gel in a competitive environment.
The Fort Lauderdale midfielder further declared it will also take time to create a successful brand like before but believes the current squad is talented enough to achieve a positive result against Barbados.
Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Technical Director Claude Bolton said the sport is going through a generational change. He noted the proposed initiatives will commence with the current national setup and that systems will be put in place to effect the development of the sport in a positive manner.
The impending showdown with Barbados will be Jamaal Shabazz’s first since his re-appointment for his third stint in charge of the National Senior Programme.
Previously the local side under the stewardship of the Trinidadian, qualified for the CONCACAF semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup qualifying for the first time in their history as well as achieved their best ever FIFA ranking of 86th during the month of November 2010. Guyana’s current ranking is 167th.
Nurse who is expected to lead the local side on the field, heads the overseas contingent which comprises of the Canadian duo of Emery Welshman (Forward) and Jamal Smith (Defender).
Similarly joining the squad as overseas based players are Trinidad and Tobago trio Akel Clarke (Goalkeeper), Trayon Bobb (Midfielder) and Pernell Schultz (Forward).
The local based roster will consist of Goalkeeper Derick Carter (Western Tigers), Defenders Chris Camacho (Alpha United), Dwain Jacobs (Slingerz FC), Joshua Browne (Slingerz FC), Colin Nelson (Slingerz FC), Solomon Austin (Western Tigers), Midfielders Eusi Phillips (Guyana Defence Force), Vurlon Mills (Slingerz FC), Clive Nobrega (Slingerz FC), Calvin Shepherd (Pele FC) and Forwards Sheldon Holder (Alpha United) and Daniel Wilson (Alpha United).
Failing to make the final squad was Goal Keeper Oswald Cornette (Fruta Conquerors), Defenders Trevon Lythcott (Fruta Conquerors), Travis Henry (Monedderlust), Midfielders Denver Dennis (Buxton United), Tichard Joseph (Slingerz FC), Keiron Solomon (Georgetown Football Club), Reshawn Sandiford (Sunburst Camptown, Amos Ramsay (Riddim Squad) and Forwards Dwayne Lawrence (Fruta Conquerors) and Omallo Williams (Pele FC).
Serving in the post of Assistant Coach is Alpha United’s Wayne Dover while Faizal Khan will act in the capacity of Manager of Administration. Mark Xavier will serve in the position of Operation Manager while Anson Ambrose will be the team’s trainer.
Andrew Hazel will hold the title of Goalkeeper Coach while Debita Harripersad is the Physiotherapist.
