With preparation for the 2016/17 CFU Caribbean Cup tournament high on the agenda of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), the proposed international friendly between Guyana and Suriname has been rescheduled from February 7th to February 21st.
Guyana was slated to face off with the neighbouring country at the Providence Stadium in an international friendly as part of their preparation for the CFU championship. However according to sources close to the federation, the match will now come off on February 21st.
The sources further say the reason for the change in date is due to Suriname possibly visiting Trinidad and Tobago during the earlier part of February to commence their CFU training and also because the GFF wants to restart the Elite League before the international engagement.
According to the sources, a decision has not been made with regards to the makeup of the team, noting that foreign-based players could feature in the match. The sources further said that the Surinamese team is expected to arrive on local shores on February 17th.
Guyana’s most recent meeting with Suriname resulted in a 1-0 defeat. The Golden Jaguars were drawn in Group-5 of the 2016/17 CFU Caribbean Cup tournament which is slated to kick off during the period of March-21st-29th. The other members of the group are Puerto Rico and Anguilla.
The likes of Haiti, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago will not participate during the opening period due to their ongoing 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
Round two of the event is slated to commence during the month of May, with the third round scheduled to begin in October. The 5th Place playoff will take place in the month of November while the grand finale will occur in May of 2017.
The top four teams during the conclusion of the event will qualify for the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Guyana’s last international fixture came against St. Vincent and the Grenadines during the failed 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Campaign in June of 2016.
The 2014 edition of the event witnessed Guyana making a first round exit, losing twice and securing one draw in their matches with an inexperienced side featuring predominantly local players who were making their debuts.
