The Golden Jaguars’ recent losses to French-speaking nation Haiti, (2-6 at home and 0-6 away), in the Dominican Republic during the 2022 Concacaf Nations League, can only be surmised as a ‘national embarrassment’.
The monumental nature of the defeats, which felt like events of epic proportions, has cast doubts on the tenure of head-coach, Jamaal Shabazz, with several sections of Guyana’s polarizing, and at times, fickle football landscape, baying for blood.
Forthrightly, Guyana’s performances during the two-match series are indefensible, and no defender/supporter, compensated or otherwise, can justify such atrocious displays, which were nothing short of exhibitions in cluelessness, incompetence, and overall ineptitude.
No spiritual intervention for which the Haitians are allegedly renowned for was required for Guyana to succumb in the space of three days, to record-breaking levels of embarrassment, and humiliation.
The bottom-house tactics employed by the Trinidad and Tobago native certainly do not warrant the annual $19,080,000 salary being paid out according to the GFF 2022 Expense Budget. This equates to $1,590,000 per month… a handsome sum for failing in style and with conviction.
If such a performance was ever attained or achieved by a footballing nation of repute, the sacking of the head coach or the resignation of the manager would be an immediate conclusion.
Truthfully, the initial appointment of Shabazz to the helm of the Golden Jaguars for an unprecedented 4th episode had brought consternation and ignited fierce debate in every analytical and social circle.
Shabazz, 57, who resigned from the post of St. Lucia men’s head coach on August 25, 2021, replaced Marcio Maximo at the helm of the programme following the confirmation of his appointment by the GFF on September 17, 2021.
The former Caledonia AIA manager, who has been at the helm of the national setup on three previous occasions (2005-2008, 2011-2012, 2015-2016), created history when he oversaw the local unit’s record-setting FIFA World Cup 2014 campaign.
The Golden Jaguars under the stewardship of the Trinidadian, qualified for the CONCACAF semi-finals of the World Cup qualifying campaign for the first time in the team’s history.
The divide on his appointment is vast, like a fissure emanating from a magnitude 9 earthquake. Many of the optimists point to his record with the programme and his understanding of the local flora and fauna, the culture as you will, to support his appointment.
For others, pessimism certainly envelopes the mindset, as they have screened this movie before, and point to the insanity associated with expecting a different outcome in this reign.
Was this acquisition divinely inspired or influenced by recent developments? In particular the ascension of one of the K&S (Kashif and Shanghai) principals as chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), the leading governmental sporting entity.
It is worth noting that the relationship between the current Golden Jaguars head coach and the directors of the Kashif and Shanghai outfit, who are comfortably nestled in government agencies and respective consultancy posts, is one of football fraternity’s worst kept secrets
Notwithstanding, the Government of Guyana’s partnership in making this a reality must be commended. Assistance from the government, especially in a financial capacity, should always be seen in a positive light.
The paying of the accommodation and providing of a motor vehicle for the duration of the tenure will certainly alleviate a part of the GFF’s unknown financial head-coaching burden.
However, one feels obligated to query; did the government also provide financial assistance for the previous foreigner? If not, why? Similarly, if yes, why wasn’t it publicly disclosed? Interesting to say the least!
Moreover, would similar benevolence have been afforded by the government to a local coach? Would Wayne Dover, Charles Pollard, or Bill Wilson, a few of the names that were bandied around in the early stages of candidacy, be given such largesse?
Tangentially, would the aforementioned trio or any other locally-bred tactician also survive the recent embarrassment now being coined ‘Haitigate’? Would they have been allowed to continue under the perceived guise of continuity?
Painfully, the writer of this piece is inclined to believe otherwise. While I am very appreciative of the government’s financial contribution, this novel decision, or uncharted path, must also be afforded to others of a different persuasion, status and sporting discipline. Only time will tell if that will be the case.
Although locally the length of the incumbent’s contract was not disclosed, it was reported in the twin-island republic, the home of the tactician, that a four-year stint was inked.
Interestingly, if true, why was a four-year contract warranted? Why a similar duration wasn’t afforded the previous manager, Marcio Maximo, who was appointed in 2019? Would a local tactician have been afforded such a luxury of time?
Similarly, was the Coaches Association consulted in any capacity on the appointment? If not, has the association even been consulted on the appointment of any national coach, male or female, in the past under this or any administration and if not, why?
The dream of the 2026 World Cup has become an obsession with the GFF and will certainly be the primary objective of the recurring ‘actor’. It was also a common theme or script of the previous coach. After all, a transition policy specifically aimed at that date was implemented by the federation and management team. I guess the transition was completed by the previous coach.
Clarity is not often found or understood where darkness prevails. Former UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill once stated, “Politics is almost as exciting as war and quite as dangerous. In war you can only be killed once, but in politics, many times.” It seems that narrative is also applicable to local football. Good luck coach!
