Experienced Golden Jaguars midfielder Neil Danns has been axed from the Golden Jaguars 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers squad for the opening two games.
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) yesterday released the names of 11 foreign-based players with Danns’ name noticeably absent, during the official roster announcement.
According to a release from the GFF, the 11 foreign players are Kyle McKenzie-Lyle, Miguel Scarlett, Matthew Briggs, Kadell Daniels, Bailey Spencer-Adams, Terrence Vancooten, Nathan Moriah-Welsh, Sam Cox, Callum Harriet, Keanu Marsh-Brown and Emery Welshman.
The locals selected are Akel Clarke, Shawn Adonis, Nikkoloi Andrews, Nicholas MacArthur, Kelsey Benjamin, Jeremy Garrett, Ryan Hackett, Daniel Wilson, Pernell Schultz, Trayon Bobb, Job Caesar and Omari Glasgow.
Danns, who currently plies his trade for Welsh unit Connah’s Quay Nomads in the Cymru Premier club, is the Golden Jaguars most high profile alumni following stints in the English Premier League with Blackburn Rovers and Birmingham City.
He has scored nine goals from 17 appearances for the national programme, with three goals recorded in the team’s maiden 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup campaign, in the process securing the label of Guyana’s lone scorer in the event.
Due to logistical and financial reasons, the GFF confirmed that the Golden Jaguars opening two fixtures in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers will be held in the Dominican Republic.
Guyana will open its Group-F campaign against Trinidad’s Soca Warriors on March 25th.
They will oppose The Bahamas five days later and, in their third match, will travel to St. Kitts and Nevis for their June 4th clash.
They will end their group round at home June 8th against Puerto Rico. Only the group winner will progress to the second stage of the qualifiers.
According to the correspondence from the GFF, Head Coach Marcio Maximo said, “It’s a strong and very competitive squad selection with a lot of energy in all areas of the field. The squad is renewed, which is a continuous cycle for us. I am very confident we can be successful and reach the second round of FIFA World Cup qualifying – this is my target and job!”
Meanwhile, Cox, captain of the Golden Jaguars said, “We know Trinidad and Tobago are tough opponents. We’ve got a rich history with them. We know they’re going to offer and present a real challenge. We are preparing ourselves for that by coming into camp a couple of days earlier, just to give ourselves that extra preparation and to bond within the team. That’s going to be invaluable.”
He added, “Then, of course, we have The Bahamas on the 30th, so we have two good fixtures that we will be looking to take wins in. We’ve got a good couple of weeks ahead of us – we just have to prepare correctly.
“It’s a shame we couldn’t be in Guyana for the second game against the Bahamas,” he said. “It would have been great to interact with the fans, but obviously, through coronavirus, that’s not possible. We know that the fans will be there in spirit with us and we will look to do them proud as we always do”, said Cox.
Head of Recruitment Faizal Khan said, “Coach Maximo giving first team call-ups to Bayli Spencer-Adams, Miguel Scarlett and Nathan Moriah-Welsh highlights the coach’s willingness to give youth a chance in competitive internationals,”
The other members of the management team are Technical Director Ian Greenwood, Assistant coach Charles Pollard, Head of Sport Science Wilson Toledo, Goalkeeping coach Eon DeVieira, Equipment Manager Trevor Burnett, Team Doctor Kojo Sandiford, Lead Physiotherapist Denzil Hernandes, Physiotherapist Quacy Paddy and Assistant Team Operations Manager Naseya Brewster.
