Following Guyana’s embarrassing first round exit from the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, former Golden Jaguars captain Christopher Nurse sat down with Stabroek Sport to discuss the reasons surrounding their dismal campaign.
Below features the entirety of the exclusive interview with the former defensive midfielder.
SS: What are your thoughts on Guyana’s embarrassing 2022 World Cup campaign which ended with a record of three losses and a win?
CN: “I think it’s important to acknowledge and thank the staff and the players for their efforts. I don’t think any group ever prepares with the intention of not progressing. I think in this instance our best was not good enough and we also need to be accepting of that also.”
“In a year that encompasses Gold Cup and World Cup Qualifiers, I think all the stakeholders were excited and we have been drastically disappointed in the results on the field given a short time ago we were in the Gold Cup and historically Guyana has always competed in these tournaments with pride, passion and respect.”
“The games vs a poor Trinidad and St. Kitts were complete blowouts and these are sides we have always competed well against. Results have been indifferent but we always leave the field with pride and respect from our opponents and spectators.
“I think the federation is in a tight spot now where they need to define the vision of how and where they see Guyana football in the immediate and also in the distant future. Ten players in the current squad were actually in the Gold Cup squad. There needs to be a thorough evaluation to figure out what has changed so dramatically to inflict such a deep regression.”
The Golden Jaguars were dumped out the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, after concluding the group campaign with a record of three losses and a win. Guyana lost to Trinidad and Tobago (4-0), St. Kitts and Nevis (3-0) and Puerto Rico (2-0), with their only victory occurring against the Bahamas (4-0).
SS: How detrimentally does this loss reflect on the programme in light of the recent axing and non-selection of several experienced and notable senior players?
CN: “I think the disrespect to some of our senior national team players is concerning, Danns (Neil) and Cox (Samuel) specifically, both of whom coach Premier League Academies in the UK who genuinely have the potential to open doors and network on behalf of Guyana football long into the future is a travesty. If they are permitted to be treated with such disregard and disrespect, why would they remain committed to assisting the programme in the future?
“Both are still very capable of contributing to the national programme in its current format and are vital in developing the next generation of professional players.”
SS: Similarly, what should be the next step or direction for the programme given that we have a Gold Cup playoff on the horizon in July?
CN: “For me in the same way the mantra seems to give opportunity to our local Guyanese players we need to give opportunity to our Guyanese coaches and believe in the process, without allowing our own people the opportunity to grow and develop we will never truly progress as a nation. Trinidad has five national coaches throughout the region. Guyana has zero.
“All the top positions are occupied by genuine authentic foreigners, the results are not good, the style of play could be better and the development is an extremely long tern process of which we still do not have the fundamentals in place to facilitate.”
SS: Do you believe given Guyana’s dismal performance in the qualifiers that a change is required at the head coaching and techno director posts?
CN: “I think Maximo has had an impact in Guyana but even before Maximo and Johnson, I believe Guyana needs to invest and grow their own coaches and their own people. If development and exposure is the mantra then also apply it to the coaching staff and director positions. If results and winning are not the focus, then let’s learn and develop and grow with our own people. A Guyanese coach will not be given the coaching role in another country, so if we do not provide the opportunity, we actually stagnate the progress of your own people and programme.
“The two-week Gold Cup competition is the only time Guyana has predominantly been overseas-based and not utilised local players, that is fact and statistics can reinforce that. Local players who have been good enough, and there are many local players who travelled overseas to pursue professional careers and come back to represent Guyana. Many of our local players would reside in Trinidad and play in the Pro League. The demise of the TT Pro League and the non-existence of a GT Pro League has created a less than desirable pathway for the current talented local player.
“The senior men’s national team is the pinnacle of a player’s career not a pathway for development. In the absence in ability to create viable platforms to play, grow and develop in a professional environment our local players will continue to suffer, with or without exposure. It’s too easy to make the national team, it has lost its pride, value and importance and I think the on-field performances are a cumulative display of many lacking fundamentals throughout the process.
“There was exposure for some local players, but through that exposure the GFF were also exposed for the lack of fundamental structure and aligned values. Things can only get better. The Technical Director discussed the second round World Cup qualification and once again qualifying for the Gold Cup, and the technical staff are discussing exposure, development and applauding 3-0 defeats. Which direction are we really going?”