The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) officially announced their 31-member provisional roster yesterday, which will eventually form the final squad for the 2022 CONCACAF Nations League slated to commence in June.
This was confirmed at a press conference held at the entity’s Section K Campbellville headquarters. The shortlisted squad comprises: Goalkeepers; Alex Murray, Quillan Roberts, Sese Norville, Akel Clarke, Defenders; Marcus Wilson, Quincy Adams, Jaylen Jones, Jeremy Garrett, Kevin Layne, Matthew Briggs, Leo Lovell, Shemar Fraser, Sam Cox, Midfielders; Daniel Wilson, Nathan Moriah-Welsh, Clive Nobrega, Job Caesar, Curtez Kellman, Javier George, Neil Danns, Forwards; Trayon Bobb, Marcel Barrington, Kelsey Benjamin, Jamal Perreira, Terell Ondaan, Ryan Hackett, Pernell Schultz, Anthony Jeffrey, Omari Glasgow, Emery Welshman and Stephen Duke McKenna.
Head coach Jamaal Shabazz said, “I can say very strongly that the group feeling in the team is a very, very positive one. We have players committed to play for Guyana and making the necessary sacrifices. So, where we lack in resources, we certainly want to make up in the right attitude and a sensible and committed approach.”
Guyana were drawn in group ‘B’ of League ‘B’ in the CONCACAF Nations League, after the official draw was conducted on Monday in Miami, Florida, USA. Guyana (21st), has been drawn with the likes of Haiti (7th), Bermuda (19th), and Montserrat (27th).
The Golden Jaguars will depart for a week’s training in Trinidad and Tobago inclusive of two practice matches before commencing their campaign away to Montserrat on June 3rd. They will then host Bermuda and Haiti on June 7th and 11th respectively, before travelling to Haiti for the return fixture on the 14th.
According to Shabazz, “We’re going to play two closed-door friendlies to help them to bond better but the emphasis generally, will be trying to develop an approach, an attack and a defence that suits what we’ve been doing. And there are a couple boys who I’ve not worked with before like McKenna and a few others that I’m working with for the first time.” Meanwhile, GFF President Wayne Forde said, “I want to use this occasion to ask our sponsors and other organizations who’ve come on board in the past to support this undertaking of the GFF, to expect to hear from us.”
The Guyanese ended their inaugural Nations League campaign with a record of three wins, two losses and a draw. The Golden Jaguars defeated Aruba [4-2, 1-0], as well as Antigua and Barbuda [5-1]. However, they suffered defeats against Jamaica [0-4] and Antigua and Barbuda [1-2]. Guyana recorded a draw against Jamaica [1-1].
Guyana in their previous five completed international friendlies, ended with a record of two wins, two losses, and a draw. The Guyanese defeated French Guiana 2-1, and Barbados 5-0, but lost to Suriname and French Guiana by an identical 1-2 scoreline. They also drew with Trinidad and Tobago 1-1.
