Dear Editor,
The departure of the Brazilian born Marcio Maximo is imminent following an extremely poor showing by the Golden Jaguars Senior Men’s National Football Team in the recently concluded Group Stage of the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers Opening Round in addition to the elimination at the 2021 Gold Cup preliminary stage. In the five (5) matches played in two (2) competitions, the statistics are – Golden Jaguars won one (1) match; drew 0, and lost 4; scored four (4) goals while conceding twelve (12); for a goal difference of -8; and on an average basis failed to score the minimum of: one (1) goal per match; conceding two (2) goals per match in four (4) matches. The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) executive, will not be renewing or extending Maximo’s contract, which comes to an end on 31.08.21 and quite rightfully so. The stats previously mentioned displayed a dismal failure.
Since then a host of public opinions have been expressed primarily on Facebook, with former Senior Men’s Head Coach Wayne Dover leading the way in his “Opinion Corner”, There were numerous responses forthcoming, both local (including myself) and from overseas. In an article published in the Stabroek News of 01.08.21 captioned: “The Wayne Dover question” stated that he “had mentioned the names of potential individuals to fill the slot namely: Charles Pollard, Chris Nurse (overseas born and based), Wayne Dover and Bill Wilson. Also, on Facebook Former Senior National Men’s Coach Gordon “Ultimate Warrior” Braithwaite was mentioned, highlighting his coaching profile at the national level previously which also included our nation’s best ever placing, in a senior regional competition, a 4th place within the then CFU Shell Cup, back in the 90’s. Additionally, all the other coaches’ profiles were outlined on Facebook, inclusive of titles won locally, international exposure (both in team’s coaching and courses). From a personal perspective I mentioned the name of Clyde “Oiler” Watson, who apart from being a recipient of a Football Scholarship, from Clemson University, USA. Additionally, “Oiler” was also a former national midfielder with his club beginning from Pele, the nation’s most decorated football club.
Matching Watson’s local accomplishments is the “Ultimate Warrior” also a former Pele and national player, who secured a scholarship to Clemson as well. That aside, in my humble opinion Watson as a Guyanese, remains unmatched in coaching at the highest level on the world stage. He was a member of the USA Female Coaching Staff that won a Female Senior World Cup Title! The selection process for the position as coach should be inclusive of Guyanese, residing locally and overseas, along with foreigners, and least before I forget, for those of us that was around at the time, would have had vivid recollections of “Oilers” coaching ability with the defunct G.T Cobras, participation in the CFU semi-pro league! GT Cobras had developed numerous locally-based players, competing among their foreign counterparts that local clubs had benefitted from their performances. Finally, the Golden Jaguars senior lineup, to the best of my knowledge, does not have any international engagements for the remainder of the year. The GFF executive or any appointed committee, should be in no haste to fill the vacancy for the Head Coach. One can be assured that the process would be more in-depth, upon review of the previous contract towards strengthening previous weaknesses. At the end of the day, the ultimate aim first and foremost must be: “the continued development and promotion of national football” towards assuring the Guyanese public and corporate Guyana, that improved national rankings, competiveness and an increase in local players securing overseas contracts beyond the CFU region is paramount for qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
Finally, GFF should increase the number of local assistant coaches to four (4) compatible with the requirements of: certification internationally, experience and successes (locally within the club structure) while acknowledging the lack of developmental coaches at the senior level, which should be a factored consideration. In erstwhile I do hope that the Stabroek News Sports Department would correct its repeated mistake of publishing the loss by the Golden Jaguars to Trinidad and Tobago from 0-4 to the rightful score of 0-3!
Sincerely,
Lester Sealey
